Niamh Fisher-Black rules uphill and wins third stage of Giro d'Italia, Lotte Kopecky makes it a one-two

Niamh Fisher-Black rules uphill and wins third stage of Giro d'Italia, Lotte Kopecky makes it a one-two

"This win means a lot to me"

09/07/2024

Team SD Worx-Protime coloured the third stage of the Giro d'Italia. With Niamh Fisher-Black and Lotte Kopecky, the Dutch World team had two riders in the elite leading group on the final climb. The New Zealand pocket climber placed a well-timed attack and took the stage win. Lotte Kopecky won the sprint in the chasing group, ensuring a one-two punch. "I saw an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. This stage win in the Giro d'Italia is a boost for my self-confidence. This is the best win of my career," Niamh Fisher-Black commented.

Linked race Giro D'Italia Women - Gekoppelde ploegleiders: Anna van der Breggen Danny Stam

Winner Niamh Fisher-Black: "I am overjoyed. I was determined to go down to the Giro d'Italia. I worked really hard while looking for some confidence. This is the confirmation I needed. Lotte and I were in the perfect situation, two in front in a small group. I had a lot of confidence in Lotte's final sprint, so I knew everything before it was my responsibility. When Mavi Garcia attacked, I reacted and rode towards her when it just levelled out a bit. At the next steep stretch, I placed my attack and was alone in front. I tried to go as fast as possible as I was afraid they would come back. I saw an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. I am super happy that I could finish it."

Niamh Fisher-Black also leads the mountain classification after stage three. "It's not a goal in itself because I have even bigger goals in this Giro d'Italia. I want to ride a good final classification. That will be determined on the climbs, so I hope to do well on the climbs anyway and then I will automatically gather points for the mountain jersey. I am very happy with this win, it is confirmation that things are going in the right direction with my evolution. The Olympics are coming up, so everyone is in top form. I had already achieved several places of honour in the Giro, but to finally take the stage victory like this... This is the best win of my career."

Lotte Kopecky: "I am very happy with this win by Niamh Fisher-Black! Everyone has told Niamh many times that she has to believe in herself and take her chances. She has done that today. I myself was in an ideal position. It was nice to see her pull away from Mavi Garcia and win. Today was a super day, for the whole team. Yesterday we just missed out, today it worked out for our team. Niamh is a strong climber and this is a great reward for her. That I take over the points jersey with my second place is a nice bonus. It is not a goal in itself. I'm not going to waste energy gathering points at the intermediate sprints. But if I can earn points at the finish and still have the jersey in my possession for the last two days, it might become a goal."

Read also

Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×