In the sprint, Clara takes 8th place in the 5th stage of the Giro
After a mountain stage yesterday, the Giro Donne has found a flat course for today’s stage. Today’s stage, 126 kilometres long between Carpi and Reggio Emilia, was predestined for the sprint and that is indeed what happened. The last rider in the breakaway of the day was caught by the peloton 4.5 kilometres from the finish.
Clara Copponi, who was led by Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig and Emilia Fahlin in the last kilometres, finished in 8th place in the bunch sprint which took place in Reggio Emilia. The stage was won by Elisa Balsamo (Trek – Segafredo). Marta Cavalli keeps her third place overall and her “azzura” jersey as the best Italian.
Clara reflects on today’s stage: “It was a long day where not much happened, we had a different strategy than the other days concerning the sprint, because I still need to find some confidence. The girls were on top, I ended up with Brodie Cecilie and Emilia so that I could do as little effort as possible. A door opened 3.5 kilometres from the finish and we went up to the before. We found ourselves early in front but I just had to find a good wheel for the last kilometre. I end up in the place where I start the last corner but I hope to have gained confidence today and I thank my teammates for their work.
Now I will take my role as a teammate to heart to help the team in the mountain stages.”