What a day for Oro-Medonte, Ont.’s Isabella Holmgren. She delivered another statement ride at the Giro d’Italia Women on Wednesday, proving she can hold her own against some of the biggest names in the sport.
This follows her impressive ride in the super-tough uphill TT where she finished in 10th.
Early on Liv AlUla Jayco’s Nadia Gontova found herself in an early move that whittled down to a handful.
They would ultimately be caught by a reduced group with all the big names. Gontova kept with that group but was ultimately distanced. She still finished well, in 15th. Gontova also had a great ride in the TT, finishing 13th.
Just four riders left at the front: Niedermaier, Vollering, Holmgren and Van der Breggen.
What. A. Stage. 🔥⛰️🚴♀️
📺 Follow the #GiroditaliaWomen on TV, and on socials, wherever you are 🌐 #WOW #WonderfulWomen pic.twitter.com/DzdTWg8HGS
— Giro d’Italia Women (@girowomen) June 3, 2026
Stage 5 was a very tough 146-km mountain stage from Longarone to Santo Stefano di Cadore.
In the end, only four riders remained together after the final climb: Demi Vollering, maglia rosa Anna van der Breggen, Antonia Niedermaier and Holmgren.
There was a whopping 3,000 metres of climbing and was clearly expected to shake up the general classification.
When Vollering launched her decisive acceleration on the final climb, Holmgren was one of only three riders able to follow. The Lidl-Trek rider stayed composed as the group worked together into the finish.
The multiple world champ even tried to animate the finale herself. She made a bold attack with just under 2 km to go.
Holmgren sits fourth overall and obviously retains her white jersey as best young rider. van der Breggen is still in pink.
Magdeleine Vallières Mill (EF Education-Oatly) fought hard to finish 8th, 53 seconds behind. She moves up to 13th overall, with Gontova in 15th.
Sadly, St Michel-Préférence Home-Auber93’s Clara Emond didn’t finish. She joins Team Picnic PostNL’s Mara Roldan as another Canadian who is out of the Giro. Tomorrow’s stage is flat, but Stage 8 is a doozy.
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