Anna van der Breggen impresses in the mountain time trial and takes the pink jersey

Anna van der Breggen delivered a very strong performance in the climbing time trial to Nevegal. AVDB covered the 12.7 kilometres no less than 1:03 faster than reigning world champion Marlen Reusser. Van der Breggen thus claimed her fifth stage win ever in the Giro d’Italia and takes over the leader’s jersey from Elisa Balsamo. “Taking the pink jersey feels like a dream. I will do everything I can to defend it,” said Van der Breggen.

Anna van der Breggen: “To be able to wear the pink jersey again five years after my last overall victory in the Giro feels really good. I hope to be an example that you can achieve what you want, as long as you keep fighting for it. You never get there in just one step. Well, with some great young talents that might be the case, but they are the exceptions. You have to keep working, and then it will come. I have worked very hard over the past two years to get back to this point. To be able to win like this today means a lot to me.”

“I was able to take the pink jersey. That deserves a small celebration tonight, because it means the first goal has been achieved. I’m proud of that. But this is only step one. Taking the jersey is one thing, now we will try to defend it with all our strength. That will be a difficult challenge. The forecasted rain will make it even harder. Tomorrow brings a tough stage with a lot of climbing and a technical descent. I’m looking forward to trying to defend the jersey.”

“My legs felt good. Mentally I’m in a good place as well. My teammates give me a lot of confidence. Wearing pink in the Giro feels like a dream. I’m sure Lorena Wiebes is proud of me, and I am of her as well. Mikayla Harvey also had to leave the race after a crash. This victory is for them. You do a stage race like this together as a team, with the riders and the staff. This victory is a highlight. I will do everything within my power to defend the jersey.”