Britain’s Lizzy Banks chose a great hit on phase four of their Giro Rosa, from Assisi into Tivoli, beating breakaway companion Eugenia Bujak (Ale BTC Ljubljana) having an assault in the last kilometre. The group broke clear of the group with approximately 90km remaining {} that, in 170k, is the longest of their race and 10km more than the maximum space generally allowed in the girls WorldTour. They built an advantage of about half an hour with 40km staying, which had been nearly enough to place Catholics [Equipe Paule Ka] – that started the afternoon 7min14sec away from the general lead – from the digital leader. Even though the gap came down to 3 minutes with 3km staying, it was obvious by then it was likely to be determined between both of these. Banks, that obtained a memorable solo success at stage eight of the past year’s version, knew she had been in great shape, having finished second to Lizzie Deignan [Trek-Segafredo] in the current GP Plouay. In the long run, the 29-year-old kicked at the last portion of this cobbled finishing scale to Tivoli, a hilltop city 30km west of Rome, to win by eight minutes. Defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten [Mitchelton-Scott] held hold of the pink leader’s jersey, so winning the struggle in the crowd to cross the line in third position, 1min11sec supporting inventories. Tuesday’s fifth phase starts and ends at Terracina, a 110.3km path involving two ascents.
