ROME — Dutch rider Anna van der Breggen took the overall leader’s pink jersey at the women’s Giro d’Italia on Tuesday after winning the 12.7km individual time trial in the Dolomites.
Four-time winner Van der Breggen powered uphill to the finish line with world time trial champion Marlen Reusser in second place and Demi Vollering third.
SD Worx-Protime’s Van der Breggen, 36, leapfrogged Italian Elisa Balsamo to the pink jersey and now has a 1min 04sec advantage over second-placed Reusser in the overall standings.
“I didn’t expect that one,” Van der Breggen said according to AFP. “This performance is a surprise.”
Three-time world champion Van der Breggen only returned to the sport last season having taken a four-year break and has openly admitted her desire to win the women’s Tour de France, which starts on August 1.
The former Olympic champion now has five days to secure the overall Giro title and equal Fabiana Luperini’s record five successes, including the penultimate stage of racing in the Alps.
“I’m going to have to defend this jersey, it won’t be easy,” she said.
“The mountains are coming.
“There’s also rain forecast over the coming days,” she added.
