Anouska Koster has shown her attacking spirit in the ninth stage of the Giro d’Italia Donne. The counterattack she had launched together with Marta Bastianelli to catch leaders Elisa Longo Borghini and Ashleigh Moolman, did not hold during the final climb. Moolman took the win.
On the final climb to the top of Monte Matajur, the duo with Koster was caught. “Today was a tough stage. During the first climb Riejanne Markus and I were along in the first group”, Koster said. “After Longo Borghini and Moolman left, I went along with Bastianelli in the counterattack. We got a lead of more than a minute on the peloton. We worked together well and started the final climb with a lead. After about three kilometres we were caught again by the reduced peloton. It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed it. The other girls had a good day as well. We are ready for the final stage.”
“IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY AND I ENJOYED IT.”
Anouska Koster
“Our focus today was to be in the breakaway”, explained sports director Marco Postma. “There were a few riders in the early breakaway today. Then Moolman and Longo Borghini went. Anouska tried to jump to the breakaway with Bastianelli, but in the turmoil among the GC riders it turned out to be too difficult. Tomorrow is already the last stage of this Giro. We certainly want to show ourselves there.”