After four stages and the first hilly stage, a large selection in the general classification was made today at the Giro Donne in Cesena.

Elise Chabbey was CANYON//SRAM Racing’s best-placed rider finishing seventh after a trio of riders went clear on the main climb of the day.

“Movistar did a really hard pace from the bottom of the longest climb. I didn’t have a good position at the start I had to do an effort to come back. Annemiek attacked quite early and I took my own pace. I could keep a hard pace and on the top, I was the first rider behind the three riders. We became a group and I was hoping we would work together but nobody was really riding so it was a bit frustrating. I wanted to keep the gap smaller but it didn’t really work and we ended up with a lot of time at the finish,” explained Elise.

“I feel really happy with my shape and my climbing. I really hope I’ll have other opportunities in the next few days to go for a stage!”

Mikayla Harvey, who started the tour with GC ambitions, was one of a number of riders who suffered in scorching conditions as the temperature soared over 40°C.

“Today didn’t go to plan. I struggled more than I anticipated in the heat,” admitted Mikayla.

“My legs were fine but my body was not. Unfortunately, GC contention is now out of the picture for me. However, the beauty of bike racing is that there are many more opportunities. I can use the rest of the Giro Donne to be a strong teammate and give my support in the next stages, as well as looking for stage opportunities!”

Teammate Neve Bradbury however, had a great performance to finish fifteenth on the stage.

“I was with a nice group including Soraya (Paladin) and Longo Borghini just behind Elise. I had a small crash on the descent which meant I lost the chance to be with them after the main climb of the day. I hope I can keep climbing well in the later stages to support the team,” said Neve.

Neve is second on the youth classification, while Elise is seventh in the general classification at +5:21 behind new maglia rosa leader, Annemiek van Vleuten (MOV).

HOW TO FOLLOW

The Giro Donne can be followed by #GiroDonne22. A broadcast is available on RaiSport, Rai2, PMG Sport, GCN and Eurosport.

Stage 5 | 5 July | Carpi – Reggio Emilia | 126.1km | Race start 11:00 | Broadcast 12:45CEST

Stage 6 | 6 July | Sarnico – Bergamo | 114.7km | Race start 10:55 | Broadcast 12:45CEST

Stage 7 | 7 July | Prevalle – Passo Maniva | 112.9km | Race start 10:55  | Broadcast 12:45CEST

Stage 8 | 8 July | Rovereto – Aldeno | 104.7km | Race start 11:05  | Broadcast 12:45CEST

Stage 9 | 9 July | San Michelle All’Adige – San Lorenzo Dorsino | 112.8km | Race start  10:55 | Broadcast 12:45CEST

Stage 10 | 10 July | Abano Terme – Padova | 90.5km | Race start 11:50  | Broadcast 12:45CEST

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