The Giro d'Italia Women reached Friuli today. After two completely flat stages, this was a more selective test, featuring only two short climbs but with a very demanding one: Montenars (1.9 km at 9.1%), crested with 22 km remaining. A breakaway of six formed after 10 km, with Jackson, Veenhoven, Guarischi, Tonetti, Pavesi and Deotto. Tonetti claimed the sprint, while Jackson took the first QOM. The move lasted until 26 km from the finish. Shortly before the catch, a crash involved Consonni and De Jong, with the latter suffering the worst consequences. A few kilometers later, approaching Montenars, Niedermaier was also delayed by a puncture.
FDJ-SUEZ and SD Worx set a fast pace on the climb, with Demi Vollering accelerating near the summit. Only Anna van der Breggen, Marlen Reusser, Elisa Longo Borghini, Femke de Vries, Niamh Fisher-Black and Isabella Holmgren were able to follow. However, the group failed to cooperate after the descent, allowing a larger chase group, including Elisa Balsamo, to make contact again. With the teams reduced in numbers, attacks came one after another in the final kilometers. First it was Georgi, then Sierra tried her luck, but the most dangerous move came from Sigrid Haugset, who attacked with 6 km to go. The Norwegian rider put up a strong resistance and was only caught with 400m to go.
On the slightly uphill finish (last 500m at 5.6%), Lily Williams launched her sprint early, but Elisa Balsamo reacted immediately. The Italian sprinter surged past the American and powered to a convincing stage victory. Three in a row for the Maglia Rosa and her 4th career stage win at the Giro. Williams finished second, while Femke Gerritse completed the podium. Elisa Longo Borghini narrowly missed out on the bonus seconds. Tomorrow, the GC contenders will finally take center stage with the uphill individual time trial to Nevegal (7.4 km at 8.2%).