Liane Lippert’s last twelve months have revolved around two key stages: Stage 6 of the 2024 Giro d’Italia Women and Stage 6 of the 2025 edition. One finished in Chieti, the other – today’s – wrapped up in Terre Roveresche. Both ended the same way: a win for Lippert, claimed through sheer legs, smart tactics, and race instinct. “No doubt about it, number 6 brings me luck,” smiled the German rider from Movistar after crossing the line.
When the peloton lacks control, when the race calls for creativity, when the only option is to launch a long-range attack and catch the rest off guard – like in today’s Bellaria-Igea Marina to Terre Roveresche stage – Lippert is always ready. Movistar came to the Giro with their sights set on the Maglia Rosa for Marlen Reusser, a plan that’s been going smoothly so far. But today, Lippert asked for a bit of freedom, and this stage was tailor-made for a rider like her.
It took serious legs to pull it off. When Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek), Sara Casasola (Fenix-Deceuninck), and Juliette Labous (FDJ-SUEZ) launched a move with about 35 km to go, Lippert didn’t immediately follow. Instead, she had to bridge across solo a few kilometers later. Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck) did the same, and once the front group came together, it was clear the strongest riders were Lippert and Rooijakkers. The duo made the difference on the sharp kicker after Monte Porzio, breaking clear and arriving at the line to contest the sprint. Lippert proved far faster, sealing the stage win, while Rooijakkers – who clawed back over a minute – was rewarded by jumping from eighth to fourth on GC. The rolling terrain tempted the GC favorites to test each other, with Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) launching an attack on the same punchy climb. But Reusser responded instantly, looking composed and confident, clearly in control of the race.
Tomorrow, however, is a different story: the Queen Stage up Monte Nerone. A new summit finish, new gradients, and the decisive showdown. That’s where the Giro will be won or lost, and it’s shaping up to be Reusser versus Longo Borghini.
