Drama in Piedicavallo, as while Wiles still held a small advantage coming into the final kilometres, several attacks were going on within the péloton that was increasing the pace manifold. The most effective of these moves was the one from Lucy Kennedy, who managed to gain several seconds and, coming into the final cobbled rise, looked to have it sewn up. But then, in a scene reminiscent of her teammate and compatriot Gracie Elvin dying a thousand deaths in her solo win atop the Steiler Wand von Meerane a few years ago, the rough surface took its toll, and the 30-year-old latecomer to the sport was fighting, teeth clenched, to hold on as the sprint of the elites broke out behind. And who, pray tell, might be incredibly good on rough surfaces due to a strong cyclocross background, who might excel in short uphill finishes and might just be on excellent form? Why, Marianne Vos, of course! Eddy burst out of the bunch on the cobbled uphill and stalked her prey, literally passing the Australian on the line to steal the victory, which actually raised an audible groan from the assembled crowd (somewhat unsurprisingly given everybody loves it when a break survives, but also surprisingly given that Marianne tends to be one of those dominant champions like, say, Valentino Rossi, who retain a high level of popularity through their dominance). Kennedy held on for second on the stage, but perhaps most intriguingly, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig snuck through for third on the stage - sprinting is not normally one of the Dane's strong suits, but on this finish, perhaps buoyed by her Flanders performance, she seemed to be confident and strong as it was just uphill enough for her, and she took the four bonus seconds ahead of Annemiek.
This also benefits Cille for the GC, as she was already the strongest placed non-Canyon rider, and with Niewiadoma not scoring any bonus seconds, she can tighten the screws at the head of the field.
Thanks to Peter van den Veen, the top 10:
1 Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv) NED
2 Lucy Kennedy (Mitchelton-Scott) AUS
3 Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Bigla) DEN
4 Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (CCC-Liv) RSA
5 Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) NED
6 Lucinda Brand (Sunweb) DEN
7 Soraya Paladin (Alé-Cipollini) ITA
8 Ane Santesteban González (WNT-Rotor) ESP
9 Anna van der Breggen (Boels-Dolmans) NED
10 Erica Magnaldi (WNT-Rotor) ITA
Thanks to Movistar we know that Merino was in the front group safely; Ensing also finished in the group. No news is good news when it comes to Canyon, on the basis that if Kasia had lost time or the maglia rosa we'd likely know by now. I caught a glimpse of a pink jersey coming in behind the WNT riders at the bottom of the top 10 on the 15 second video of the finale, but only briefly in the background and so fleetingly it's hard to tell whether that might be because it's the maglia rosa, or it may be de Vuyst or Vollering in the Parkhotel jerseys.
This also benefits Cille for the GC, as she was already the strongest placed non-Canyon rider, and with Niewiadoma not scoring any bonus seconds, she can tighten the screws at the head of the field.
Thanks to Peter van den Veen, the top 10:
1 Marianne Vos (CCC-Liv) NED
2 Lucy Kennedy (Mitchelton-Scott) AUS
3 Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Bigla) DEN
4 Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (CCC-Liv) RSA
5 Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott) NED
6 Lucinda Brand (Sunweb) DEN
7 Soraya Paladin (Alé-Cipollini) ITA
8 Ane Santesteban González (WNT-Rotor) ESP
9 Anna van der Breggen (Boels-Dolmans) NED
10 Erica Magnaldi (WNT-Rotor) ITA
Thanks to Movistar we know that Merino was in the front group safely; Ensing also finished in the group. No news is good news when it comes to Canyon, on the basis that if Kasia had lost time or the maglia rosa we'd likely know by now. I caught a glimpse of a pink jersey coming in behind the WNT riders at the bottom of the top 10 on the 15 second video of the finale, but only briefly in the background and so fleetingly it's hard to tell whether that might be because it's the maglia rosa, or it may be de Vuyst or Vollering in the Parkhotel jerseys.