The proverbial day of two halves, the opening part of Wednesday’s stage took on predominantly flat roads but the final 60 kilometres played host to three categorised climbs and several uncategorised kickers. The bunch stayed together for a while before eventually a five rider group went clear on the flat roads, building up a five minute advantage. In the peloton, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL supported GC finisher Juliette Labous as the race made its way onto the climbs, sticking with her for as long as possible. Over the first ascent a counterattacking group went but those riders wouldn’t be able to catch Emond, who held on to take the win from the breakaway. Back in the reduced Maglia Rosa group, Labous gave it her all on the punchy cobbled rise to the line, after being supported by Eleonora Ciabocco, finishing four seconds behind the pink jersey on the stage.
Speaking after the stage Ciabocco said: “Today the first kilometres were quite easy so we tried to stay together and stay out of risk or incidents. Franzi and Josie did a great job at that and keeping us safe. Unfortunately, Nienke was involved in a small crash before the first climb, then when she made it back she punctured her wheel so we lost her from the group. It was a very hot day, especially on the last climbs. I helped Juliette for as long as I could, until I had to let go on the final climb, where she did the best she could to the finish.”
