Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv/Giant) asserted her superiority over the rest of the 2013 Giro d’Italia Femminile peloton, with a dominant solo victory on stage three into Cerro al Volturno. The World champion, already clad in the Maglia Rosa of race leader, escaped her final breakaway companion, Tiffany Cromwell (Orica-AIS), inside the final eight kilometres of the 99.3km stage, as the Australian crashed on a hairpin descent, and continued alone to the steep, cobbled finish.
Cromwell was enveloped by the first chasing group of eleven riders, with 2009 Giro Donne winner Claudia Häusler (Tibco-To The Top) beating 2009 World champion Tatiana Guderzo (MCipollini-Giordana) in the battle for second place, 45 seconds behind Vos.
"After two second places in a row, I needed a stage victory!" Vos exclaimed afterwards. "I didn't plan to make a long breakaway and I thought the stage was not so tough! The final was very steep and with the cobbles it was even worse, I'm really happy to win in rosa.
"In the next days I hope to be with the best and increase my advantage in the general classification."
Just ten kilometres into the hilly stage Vos and Cromwell broke clear of the shattering peloton as part of a group of six riders, as mountains classification leader Valentina Scandolara (MCipollini-Giordana) attacked over the top of the 3rd category climb at Castel San Vincenzo. Also in the group were Vos’ Rabobank-Liv/Giant teammate and new Netherlands champion Lucinda Brand, sprinter Barbara Guarischi (Vaiano) and USPRO silver medallist Lauren Hall (United States), and the sextet managed to get a minute clear after 45km.
The break’s lead was to fluctuate around the stage’s predominantly flat mid section, but the pace set by Vos and Cromwell saw the two riders leave the others behind.
Cromwell led Vos over the top of the 3rd category Castelnuovo al Volturno climb with just 8.3km to go, and the stage looked to be heading for a mano-a-mano sprint up the steep final climb between the two riders. Shortly into the descent, however, Cromwell came off on a hairpin and, although she was unhurt, was unable to get back on terms with the World champion.
Vos continued alone to the final climb and sprinted up to victory, collapsing over her handlebars at the finish in an image reminiscent of her five Flèche Wallonne triumphs. A group of ten riders caught Cromwell on the approach to the climb, which shattered on the final kilometres to the line as Häusler and Guderzo battled for second place.
A 45-second gap at the finish meant that Vos increased her lead in the general classification - based on time bonuses up to that point - to 1’13” over Häusler, with Guderzo close behind at 1’15”.
Result stage 3
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabobank-Liv/Giant
2. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Team Tibco-To The Top @ 45s
3. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) MCipollini-Giordana
4. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Faren-Kuota @ 48s
5. Rossella Ratto (Ita) Hitec Products @ 50s
6. Ashleigh Moolman (RSA) Lotto-Belisol @ 55s
7. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Specialized-lululemon
8. Anna van der Breggen (Ned) Netherlands National Team @ 58s
9. Mara Abbott (USA) United States National Team
10. Shara Gillow (Aus) Orica-AIS @ 1’02”
Standings after stage 3
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabobank-Liv/Giant
2. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Team Tibco-To The Top @ 1’13”
3. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) MCipollini-Giordana @ 1’15”
4. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Faren-Kuota @ 1’22”
5. Rossella Ratto (Ita) Hitec Products @ 1’24”
6. Ashleigh Moolman (RSA) Lotto-Belisol @ 1’29”
7. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Specialized-lululemon
8. Anna van der Breggen (Ned) Netherlands National Team @ 1’32”
9. Mara Abbott (USA) United States National Team
10. Francesca Cauz (Ita) Top Girls Fassa Bortolo @ 1’36”