It was a true show of teamwork and character today from UAE Team ADQ, who launched the decisive echelon that shaped what was expected to be a bunch sprint. Elisa Longo Borghini finished sixth, with Silvia Persico rounding out the top ten in tenth place.
Stage 5 took the peloton from Mirano to Monselice over a 120 km route. The race came alive with just over 50 km to go, sparked by a bold move from UAE Team ADQ. Taking advantage of crosswinds, the team initiated a perfectly executed echelon that split the field and formed a lead group of fewer than 20 riders.
Among the front group were UAE Team ADQ’s Elisa Longo Borghini, Silvia Persico, Alena Amialiusik, Eleonora Gasparrini, and Brodie Chapman. Also present were race leader Marlen Reusser, and sprint stars Lorena Wiebes and Marianne Vos, while several key GC contenders were caught out and left behind.
In the end, Lorena Wiebes sprinted to another stage win, while Reusser retained the Maglia Rosa. However, today’s action left a significant mark on the overall classification: Elisa Longo Borghini remains just 16 seconds behind Reusser, while Anna van der Breggen moves up to third, now 1:53 down.
Tomorrow’s Stage 6 will take the riders from Bellaria-Igea Marina to Terre Roveresche (Orciano di Pesaro) over 145 km – a challenging day ahead before Saturday’s Queen Stage.
(ph. Getty Sport)
