With a stage over 90,5 km from Abano Terme to Padova the Giro Donne finished Sunday afternoon. As expected the stage finished in a bunch sprint. Rachele Barbieri was close to the stage win today.
The Giro Donne peloton left the mountains behind on the final day, but that didn`t mean it wasn`t a hard day. After the early escapees were reeled in, it was time for the sprint preparation. Liv Racing Xstra tried to guide Rachele Barbieri to the front of the bunch, so she could contest the final sprint. The Italian sprinter was well positioned in the final metres and launched her sprint early. Only Chiara Consonni could pass her in the final metres.
A second place was the result for Barbieri, who had a little mixed feelings after the stage. “Of course I am disappointed, because I was so close to the stage win today. I think I launched my sprint a little too early and gave Chiara a lead-out that way. For me there was no other way to give it a try for the stage win. So yes I am disappointed, but also really proud to be on the podium and get so close to the stage victory after this hard stage race”, Barbieri commented after the final stage.
Her words were echoed by sports director Giorgia Bronzini. “It is always nice to be on the stage podium. Honestly it is a bittersweet second place, because we were so close to the victory. In general we are satisfied with this Giro. The girls kept fighting every day and showed their professionalism every day. After ten days it is nice to finish off with a podium spot.”