Dominant German proves that she has more than just a sprint in her armoury
Ina Teutenberg (HTC-Columbia) proved once again that there is more to her racing than just a near unbeatable sprint by taking victory in the 16.9km stage 3 time trial. Wearing the pink jersey of race leader the German was the last rider to start the course and she posted the fasted time to take her third stage victory in succession.
On a course that suited the more powerful riders, Teutenberg’s sprint rival Kirsten Wild (Cervélo TestTeam) finished second; German time trial champion Judith Arndt (HTC-Columbia) was third.
“I’ve taken three stages in a row in the Giro Donne before,” Teutenberg said, “but I’ve never won two bunch sprints and then a time trial, that’s pretty exciting. I was just hoping I would go out there and maybe not lose too much time, but it was a really good course for me and I had really good legs.
“As race leader I was last rider off and half-way round I heard from Ronny [Lauke, the HTC-Columbia sports director] that I had the best time,” she continued. “I thought I could have a good second half, and when I caught [Gauss-RDZ-Ormu rider Giorgia] Bronzini in the last part, that gave me some extra motivation.”
Teutenberg’s victory extends her lead in the overall classification, but with the later stages of this Giro Donne one of the toughest in some years the German is under no illusion as to how long she w ill hold onto the pink jersey.
“We’ve got three out of three stages and the lead so there’s no pressure on us now,” she said, “but hopefully we’ll have the lead by the end of the week. The Giro’s always a big target, it’s one of the most important women’s races out there and whatever happens it’s a real honour for me to wear the maglia rosa.”
Tomorrow’s stage moves south to the Po valley where the flat terrain will likely augur another sprint finish, where Teutenberg w ill be favourite to make it four in a row.
Result stage 3
1. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC-Columbia
2. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervélo TestTeam @ 21s
3. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC-Columbia @ 22s
4. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC-Columbia @ 23s
5. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team @ 24s
6. Shelley Evans (USA) United States National Team @ 43s
7. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Netherlands National Team @ 51s
8. Amber Neben (USA) United States National Team @ 52s
9. Alison Starnes (USA) United States National Team @ 54s
10. Iris Slappendel (Ned) Cervélo TestTeam @ 54s
Standings after stage 3
1. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC-Columbia
2. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervélo TestTeam @ 36s
3. Marianne Vos (Ned) Netherlands National Team @ 40s
4. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC-Columbia @ 42s
5. Linda Villumsen (NZl) HTC-Columbia @ 43s