Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv/Giant) took her second straight victory in the 2013 Giro d’Italia Femminile with a powerful uphill sprint at the end of the fourth stage, between Monte San Vito and Castelfidardo. The World champion accelerated with 300 metres to go and was three seconds clear of her rivals by the time she hit the line. Evie Stevens (Specialized-lululemon) won the sprint for second place, ahead of South African champion Ashleigh Moolman (Lotto-Belisol) and Tatiana Guderzo (MCipollini-Giordana).
The three second gap and the time bonuses on the line - as well as some taken at the stage’s intermediate sprint - meant that Vos extended her overall lead to 1’31” over Guderzo in second place.
“After finishing 2nd twice and winning two stages in a row, I couldn’t ask for anything better,” said Vos after the stage. “Tomorrow, though, it’s going to be tough. There are still many kilometres to ride and many climbs to tackle before arriving in Cremona on Sunday.
“Winning is never easy and you can’t take anything for granted,” she added.
At 137.2km, stage four was the longest of the race, and expected to go to a successful breakaway. Since virtually every team wanted to be part of that breakaway, however, the speed in the peloton was such that it prevented anybody from getting away.
Tiffany Cromwell (Orica-AIS) led Vos over the 2nd category Colle Giuliani, after 46km, then the World champion took first place at the Traguardo Volante sprint, in Fabriano five kilometres later, ahead of Cromwell and mountains jersey Valentina Scandolara (MCipollini-Giordana).
Valentina Bastianelli (Vaiano-Fondriest) managed to escape over an unclassified climb inside the final 25km, but the 25-year-old Italian was soon back in the peloton as it continued its high speed journey to the finish.
Into the final kilometres the peloton was led by the Rabobank-Liv/Giant and Specialized-lululemon teams, with most of Vos’ rivals lined up on the World champion’s wheel. As soon as Vos opened up her sprint, however, she pulled clear of the rest to win by a comfortable margin.
Result stage 4
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabobank-Liv/Giant
2. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Specialized-lululemon @ 3s
3. Ashleigh Moolman (RSA) Lotto Belisol
4. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) MCipollini-Giordana
5. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Team Tibco-To The Top @ 7s
6. Anna van der Breggen (Ned) Netherlands National Team @ 9s
7. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Faren-Kuota
8. Francesca Cauz (Ita) Top Girls Fassa Bortolo @ 18s
9. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Orica AIS @ 20s
10. Mara Abbot (USA) United States National Team
Standings after stage 4
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabobank-Liv/Giant
2. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) MCipollini-Giordana @ 1’31”
3. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Team Tibco-To The Top @ 1’33”
4. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Specialized-lululemon @ 1’39”
5. Ashleigh Moolman (RSA) Lotto Belisol @ 1’41”
6. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Faren-Kuota @ 1’44”
7. Anna van der Breggen (Ned) Netherlands National Team @ 1’54”
8. Rossella Ratto (Ita) Hitec Products @ 2’03”
9. Mara Abbot (USA) United States National Team @ 2’05”
10. Francesca Cauz (Ita) Top Girls Fassa Bortolo @ 2’07”