Race Report Stage 7. Neve Bradbury Conquers Blockhaus in of Giro d’Italia Women
Elisa Longo Borghini of Lidl-Trek has claimed the prestigious Maglia Rosa, winning the general classification of the 2024 Giro d’Italia Women. The final stage, a challenging route from Pescara to L’Aquila, provided a thrilling climax to this year’s race, filled with strategic racing, multiple attacks in the finale and a final push from Longo Borghini on the final climb.
Early Stages and Breakaways:
The final stage began with high tension and rapid pace, as riders knew it was their last chance to impact the general classification or secure a stage win. The 117 km route included one climb of the third category and one if the first, with much of the elevation gain loaded into the first half of the race.
At around the 40 km mark, several riders attempted to break away from the peloton. An initial successful break included Asia Zontone (Isolmant-Premac-Vittoria), Loes Adegeest (FDJ-SUEZ), and Lieke Nooijen (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), who managed to gain a small lead. However, the peloton, driven by the teams with strong GC interests, quickly organized to reel them back in.
Mid-Race Dynamics:
As the race progressed, the climbs began to take their toll. The Forca di Penne, a third-category climb, saw the peloton begin to split, with the strongest climbers moving to the front. The intermediate sprint at Manoppello added to the excitement, though it was clear that the real battle would be on the final ascent to L’Aquila.
Several key attacks were made during this phase, with riders like Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Lucinda Brand (Lidl-Trek) making moves. However, it was the breakaway trio of Le Court, Edwards, and Koch that managed to establish a significant lead, working cohesively to maintain their advantage.
Significant Moves and Key Players:
Kim Le Court of AG Insurance-Soudal made a decisive move at around the 35 km mark, bridging up to the front with Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health) and Franziska Koch (Team DSM-Firmenich). This trio worked well together, maintaining a gap of around 1:30 over the chasing peloton for a substantial portion of the race.
Behind them, teams such as Lidl-Trek was happy with any break but SD Worx-Protime was not content to let the breakaway succeed without a fight. Niamh Fisher-Black (SD Worx) took significant turns at the front, trying to set up her teammate Lotte Kopecky for a final push. The intense pace, combined with the challenging terrain, began to thin the peloton, leaving only the strongest riders in contention.
The Final Climb:
As the race approached the final climb into L’Aquila, the peloton’s efforts to close the gap intensified. Mavi Garcia (LIV Racing TeqFind) launched a powerful attack from the group, attempting to bridge up to the leaders. This move prompted a series of counterattacks, causing the peloton to splinter further. Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek) took the opportunity to push the pace, stringing out the group and creating small gaps. This descent was critical in setting up the final climb, as it allowed riders to gain position and prepare for the last push.
With 10 km to go, the leading trio still had a minute’s advantage, but the chase group, driven by the likes of Elisa Longo Borghini and Lotte Kopecky, began to close in rapidly. Longo Borghini, showing her class and tactical nous, made a decisive attack with around 2 km to go, pulling clear of the remnants of the peloton.
The Final Sprint:
The final kilometers were a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. Kim Le Court led out the sprint from the front, and despite a valiant effort from Ruth Edwards, Le Court held on to take the stage victory. Behind them, Elisa Longo Borghini launched a powerful sprint in the GC bunch, crossing the line several bike lengths ahead of Lotte Kopecky. This move not only secured her stage position but also confirmed her overall victory in the general classification.
Rider Reactions
Elisa Longo Borghini:
“It’s an incredible feeling to win the Giro. The team was amazing, and we executed our plan perfectly. The final stage was tough, but we stayed focused and made it happen,” Longo Borghini said, celebrating her victory and the efforts of her Lidl-Trek teammates. Her win is a testament to her consistency and strength throughout the race, as well as her ability to perform under pressure in the crucial moments
Lotte Kopecky:
Reflecting on her second-place finish in the GC, Kopecky expressed pride in her performance. “I gave it my all, and coming so close is a testament to the hard work of my team. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, and this gives me great confidence moving forward,” she commented. Kopecky’s versatility was on full display throughout the Giro, showcasing her ability to sprint, ride classics, and climb effectively.
Kim Le Court:
Stage winner Kim Le Court was ecstatic about her victory. “Winning a stage in the Giro is beyond my wildest dreams. Today was all about taking my chances, and it paid off. My team supported me perfectly, and I’m so grateful for their hard work,” Le Court said. This victory is a significant milestone in Le Court’s career, highlighting her as a rider to watch in future race.
That’s it for the Giro d’Italia Women 2024.