A great day for Maple Ridge, B.C.’s Maggie Coles-Lyster as she almost snagged the biggest win of her career, taking second on Stage 6 at the Giro d’Italia Women. The Human Powered Health rider smartly led out the sprint through the sketchy final corner and was in the lead with 200 metres to go, but Elisa Balsamo (Lidl – Trek) outkicked her for the win. Alexandra Volstad (EF Education-Oatly) also had a great day, finishing tenth.
The Italian took her fourth stage victory of the Giro Thursday, from Ala to Brescello.
With little climbing on the 159-km route, a sprint finish always looked likely. An early breakaway of four Italian riders built a lead of around four minutes before the peloton gradually brought them back.
Although it was expected to be a bunch sprint, there was some drama midway.
Just as Isabella Holmgren said before the stage, those types of days can sometimes be dangerous. “It is a flat stage, but last year we thought the same with one of the stages and it ended up being super tough,” the white jersey said.
Uno-X Mobility ended up split the bunch into several groups. Pink jersey Anna van der Breggen made the front group, while Demi Vollering briefly found herself behind before rejoining.
With 15 km to go, Giorgia Serena (Team Mendelspeck E-Work) took a flyer, at one point having a minute’s lead.
However, the bunch reeled her in and the teams of the sprinters took control. Lidl-Trek then led out in the final kilometre, with Lucinda Brand guiding Balsamo into position before the Italian finished the job for another impressive victory. Coles-Lyster launched and was first in the bend, and looked like she might very well take it. Still, a huge result for the Olympian. The rest of the Canadians finished safely in the bunch.
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