Georgia Bronzini claimed stage 3 of this year’s Santo’s Women’s Tour, after beating yesterday’s winner Nelissa Hoskins (Orica-AIS) and race leader Valentina Scandolara (Orica-AIS) in a sprint finish.
However, despite finishing third, Scandolara managed to hold onto the overall race lead with one final criterium in Victoria Park tomorrow.
"I’m really happy because my team counted on my race, so I think they deserved that because we worked hard for the win," said Bronzini. "Also we are really happy because Nettie won the intermediate sprint which was the plan. It was really hard to do but we’ve done it so I’m really happy."
Bronzini emerged as the only Wiggle-Honda rider in the lead group of 11 riders, who managed to chase down the escapees during the final 35 kilometers.
At one point, Scandolara and Ruth Corset commenced an attack on the Checkers Hill section of the course. However, the two leaders were quickly joined by Bronzini and 8 other riders.
While strategically nestled in the lead group, Bronzini kept quiet before launching a final acceleration that successfully jettisoned her rivals just before the finish.
“There were four Greenedge (Orica-AIS) riders so it was stupid if I rolled in front, so I waited and sat back while some of the girls attacked. It was pretty simple about the tactic, but not simple about the riding,” Bronzini explained.
Meanwhile, Scandolara remains 6 seconds ahead of her teammate Hoskins going into the final stage.
Stage 3 Result
1 Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle Honda 1:47:13
2 Melissa Hoskins (Aus) Orica-AIS
3 Valentina Scandolara (Ita) Orica-AIS
4 Loren Rowney (Aus) RoXSolt
5 Ruth Corset (Aus) Total Rush Hyster
6 Miranda Griffiths (Aus) Holden Women’s Cycling Team
7 Rachel Neylan (Aus) Building Champions Women’s Squad
8 Amanda Spratt (Aus) Orica-AIS
9 Jenelle Crooks (Aus) Specialized Securitor
10 Lizzie Williams (Aus) Orica-AIS 0:00:06
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