The stage was animated by an early breakaway featuring Camilla Bezzone (Mendelspeck E-Work), Sharon Spimi (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo), Gaia Segato and Irene Cagnazzo (Vini Fantini–BePink). The quartet built an advantage of as much as 4’15” over the peloton, only to see their hopes extinguished well before the finish. Near the Mincio Nature Reserve, Uno-X Mobility launched a surprise acceleration that split the bunch into echelons. The move caused more than a few anxious moments for Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) and effectively brought the breakaway’s adventure to an end.
The Swiss rider found herself trapped in a second group and was forced to chase at full speed for around ten kilometres. Supported by her teammates but also having to contribute personally, Marlen Reusser was obliged to expend energy she would gladly have saved on a stage that had looked relatively straightforward on paper. At least the effort was not in vain, as she managed to regain contact with the front group with 45 kilometres remaining.
A counterattack then came from Giorgia Serena (Mendelspeck E-Work), who managed to build an advantage of up to one minute over the peloton. Her brave solo effort came to an end with just under 10 kilometres to go, when the sprinters’ teams began their preparations for the inevitable bunch finish. Inside the final kilometre, a crash stretched out the peloton. Lucinda Brand took command at the front and only swung off with 200 metres remaining, perfectly setting up teammate Elisa Balsamo, who unleashed her trademark devastating acceleration to seal yet another victory.
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