Rasa Leleivytė, riding for Aromitalia-3T-Vaiano, secured victory in the first stage of the Giro Toscana Int Femminile today. The Lithuanian cyclist completed the 110.15 km course in 2 hours, 46 minutes, and 16 seconds, averaging a speed of 39.749 km/h. The decisive moment came on the final climb, a 1.3 km ascent with a gradient of 6%, where Leleivytė launched a well-timed attack to take the win.
Elise De Vallier of Top Girls – Fassa Bortolo crossed the line in second place, followed by Paula Blasi from Massi – Baix Ter in third. Leleivytė’s victory earned her 8 world ranking points and moved her up from 23rd to 2nd in the overall standings, just 2 seconds behind the new leader, Margot Vanpachtenbeke of VolkerWessels Women’s Pro Cycling Team.
Vanpachtenbeke, who finished fourth in the stage, claimed the leader’s jersey. She benefited from time bonuses and a strong performance in Thursday’s 2.22 km prologue, where Leleivytė had only managed 23rd place.
Despite her initial position, Leleivytė, one of the race’s oldest participants and a veteran of 14 editions of the Giro della Toscana, took control in the final stretch. She had also won a stage in the same race last year and finished second overall in both 2021 and 2023. Her consistent performance continues to demonstrate her experience and deep familiarity with the course, having lived in the area for many years.
The stage saw limited action until a breakaway attempt by Marie Lagershausen and Darina Nahuliak with 12 km remaining. The duo maintained a slim advantage, but Nahuliak’s solo effort in the last 5 km was eventually neutralised by the peloton as they approached the climb to the finish.
As the race progresses, the competition remains tight, with Leleivytė also taking the points classification lead and donning the cyclamino jersey. With two more stages left before the race concludes on Sunday, the Lithuanian rider is well-positioned to challenge for the overall victory.
(Main photo is from last year’s stage on the same finish, also won by Leleivyte)
2024 Giro Toscana Int. Femminile Stage 1 result
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