Vos wins again to tighten grip at 2013 Giro Rosa
Dutchwoman tops Evelyn Stevens with long-range sprint ahead of the race's biggest climbing stage
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Marianne Vos made it two in a row in Italy on Wednesday, winning stage 4 of the Giro Ciclistico d’Italia Femminile in Castelfidardo. Vos (Rabobank) tightened her grip on the overall leader’s pink jersey with a long sprint that put her rivals on the back foot.
Evelyn Stevens (Specialized-lululemon) was second, leading home Ashleigh Moolman (Lotto-Belisol Ladies) and a group of GC contenders three seconds behind the world champion Dutchwoman.
“Winning against Marianne is not easy, but my team is strong and we want to do our best,” said Stevens. “I’m in shape and tomorrow’s rolling course suits me.”
Vos, whose entire family is following the race in a camper van, leads the general classification by 1:31 over Tatiana Guderzo (MCipollini-Ale Galassia), in second, and 1:33 over stage 2 winner Claudia Häusler (Tibco-To the Top), in third.
“After finishing second twice and winning two stages in a row, I couldn’t ask for anything better,” said Vos. “Tomorrow, though, it’s going to be tough. There are still many kilometers 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.”
With her effort over the day’s KOM climb (second behind Orica-AIS’ Tiffany Cromwell), Vos took command of three jerseys: pink, green (mountains), and cyclamen (points).
The Giro Rosa continues Thursday with the 74-kilometer queen stage, stage 5, from Varazze to Monte Beigua.