Van der Breggen wins time trial to take Giro lead

Dutch rider Anna van der Breggen wearing the pink jersey on the podium — Image caption,
Van der Breggen won the Giro d'Italia in 2015, 2017, 2020 and 2021

Mandeep Sanghera

BBC Sport journalist

1 hour ago

Dutch rider Anna van der Breggen claimed victory in the 12.7km individual time trial to take the leader's pink jersey at the women's Giro d'Italia.

The four-time Giro champion won stage four in 31 minutes and 38 seconds, with world time trial champion Marlen Reusser one minute and four seconds behind in second place and Demi Vollering a further six seconds adrift in third.

"I didn't expect that one," said Van der Breggen. "This performance is a surprise."

Van der Breggen won the Giro d'Italia in 2015, 2017, 2020 and 2021 and her fourth stage victory gave her a one minute and four seconds advantage over Reusser in the overall standings, with five stages to go.

"I'm going to have to defend this jersey, it won't be easy," said Van der Breggen, who is aiming to equal Fabiana Luperini's record five wins in the event.

"The mountains are coming. There's also rain forecast over the coming days."

Giro d'Italia Women stage four results

1. Anna van der Breggen (Ned/Team SD Worx-Protime) 31mins 38secs

2. Marlen Reusser (Swi/Movistar) + 1min 4secs

3. Demi Vollering (Ned/FDJ United-Suez) +1min 10secs

4. Antonia Niedermaier (Ger/Canyon-Sram) +1min 26secs

5. Monica Trinca Colonel (Ita/Liv AlUla Jayco) +1min 31secs

6. Lauren Dickson (GBR/FDJ United-Suez) +1min 38secs

7. Femke de Vries (Ned/Team Visma) +1min 39secs

8. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita/UAE Team ADQ) +1min 51secs

9. Urska Zigart (Slo/AG insurance-Soudal) +1min 54secs

10. Isabella Holmgren (Can/Lidl-Trek) +1min 55secs

General classification

1. Anna van der Breggen (Ned/Team SD Worx-Protime) 11hrs 31mins 32secs