'It was a good day, but also a hard day' – Anna Van der Breggen defends Giro Women GC lead on Dolomites mountain stage

Anna van der Breggen successfully defended her overall lead in the Giro d’Italia Women during a challenging mountain stage through the Dolomites. After securing the maglia rosa with a victory in the stage 4 mountain time trial, the 36-year-old rider from SD Worx-Protime faced a tough test on stage 5. Supported by her teammates, particularly Valentina Cavallar, Van der Breggen finished in the lead group of four riders, crossing the line second behind stage winner Demi Vollering without losing any time in the general classification. The 146-kilometre stage was marked by a large breakaway of 22 riders early on, with many teams represented at the front. Van der Breggen’s team had Cavallar in the break, which proved crucial in managing the race dynamics. The peloton eventually regrouped before the final climbs, where the pace intensified, especially from Vollering and Julia Niedermaier. Van der Breggen described the day as both good and hard, highlighting the relentless climbs and the demanding tempo set by her rivals. Valentina Cavallar’s role was pivotal in the defence of the pink jersey. The 25-year-old Austrian climber was instrumental in neutralising attacks during the valley section between the two ascents of the Costa climb, allowing Van der Breggen to conserve energy for the decisive moments. Van der Breggen praised her teammate’s efforts and resilience, noting that having Cavallar in the front group was a significant advantage. Despite a small team, the collective effort of SD Worx-Protime was evident throughout the stage. In the latter part of the race, Van der Breggen took the initiative on the technical descent, pushing the pace and creating small gaps through the hairpin turns. Although this move was not pre-planned, she recognised the importance of being at the front to control the race and potentially secure a stage win. Her tactical acumen and strong descending skills helped maintain her position ahead of the finish, ensuring she retained the maglia rosa heading into the next stages of the Giro d’Italia Women.