Mayuko Hagiwara (Wiggle-Honda) became the first Japanese rider to win a stage of the Giro Rosa. Photo Courtesy: Flaviano Ossola
Mayuko Hagiwara (Wiggle-Honda) became the first Japanese rider to win a stage of the Giro Rosa. U.S. champion Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans) continued her recent run of success at this year’s race, claiming second on stage 6 and extending her lead in the general classification on Thursday.
The short, 102km stage from Tresivio to Morbegno featured three tough climbs that split the peloton into pieces. The final climb of the day to Civo saw all of the action, as riders attacked out the peloton, knowing the run-in to the finish was mostly downhill. Hagiwara was able to slip away at the bottom of the climb, as the riders in the peloton marked each other. Toward the top of the climb, the peloton began to split up as the pace increased.
A select group of riders came into the finale, but they were unable to bring back the Japanese rider. Guarnier showed she is a force to be reckoned with, claiming the sprint and the bonus seconds that came with it. Ashleigh Moolman (Bigla) finished in third.
After a long transfer, tomorrow’s stage 7 from Arenzano to Loano will be a little easier on the legs of the riders. Two major climbs mark the day, with a short, steep, category 1 climb in the opening 25km. The second climb, a category 3, is long and gradual and shouldn’t create much separation. A long, fast descent to the sea should create an exciting finish to the stage.
Top 10, stage 6: Tresivio – Morbegno (102km)
1. Mayuko Hagiwara (Wiggle-Honda) 3h12’26”
2. Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans) +24”
3. Ashleigh Moolman (Bigla) +24”
4. Anna Van der Breggen (Rabo-Liv) +24”
5. Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Rabo-Liv) +24”
6. Evelyn Stevens (Boels Dolmans) +24”
7. Elisa Longo Borghini (Wiggle-Honda) +24”
8. Flavia Oliveira (Ale Cipollini) +24”
9. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Rabo-Liv) +24”
10. Shara Gillow (Rabo-Liv) +24”
General classification after stage 6:
1. Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans) 18h22’51”
2. Anna Van der Breggen (Rabo-Liv) +11”
3. Ashleigh Moolman (Bigla) +14”
4. Elisa Longo Borghini (Wiggle-Honda) +25”
5. Evelyn Stevens (Boels Dolmans) +28”
6. Katazyna Niewiadoma (Rabo-Liv) +30”
7. Mayuko Hagiwara (Wiggle-Honda) +33”
8. Mara Abbott (Wiggle-Honda) +53”
9. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Rabo-Liv) +2’01”
10. Roxane Knetemann (Rabo-Liv) +2’14”
The 26th Giro Rosa jerseys after stage 6:
Maglia Rosa: Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans)
Maglia Ciclamino: Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans)
Maglia Verde: Flavia Oliveira (Ale Cipollini)
Maglia Bianca: Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Rabo-Liv)
Maglia Blu: Elisa Longo Borghini (Wiggle-Honda)
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