Anna van der Breggen admits shortened stage on Finestre required a mental change ‘to suffering more on this climb’ as she defended Giro d’Italia Women lead

Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) defended the maglia rosa as the general classification leader of the Giro d’Italia Women on a shortened stage 8 to the high elevation where snow and ice came into the equation.

Van der Breggen finished in the same time as stage winner Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ), who is now 50 seconds behind the 36-year-old going into the final day of racing on Sunday.