GIRO D’ITALIA WOMEN: In the second stage, Blue Jersey for Tota Magalhães!

The Brazilian protagonist of a long and courageous breakaway

A feat almost from another era, one that harks back to “heroic” cycling; an exciting ride, stopped just a hair’s breadth from the white line, but no less extraordinary for that.

In the second stage of the Giro d’Italia Women (2.WWT) Ana Vitória Magalhães signed a small personal masterpiece, becoming the protagonist of a courageous and very long escape rewarded, also, by wearing the Maglia Azzurra of the Grand Prix of the Mountain.

A born attacker and already on the vanguard numerous times this year, in the women’s Corsa Rosa the Brazilian from BePink-Bongioanni born in 2000 launched herself into the attack at the first available opportunity and in the Sirmione – Volta Mantovana, 110 km substantially flat but with two altimetric difficulties to face.

Leaving the ranks in the company of another athlete after 4.5 km from the start, near the first of two passages on the Gran Premio della Montagna di Cavriana (“baptized” both times and earned her the leadership in the special ranking of climbers) she “lengthened her stride” continuing the race alone and resisting the strenuous pursuit of the group until 1800 meters from the finish.

“Even though the route was not particularly demanding, for me it was quite a tough day, because I spent many kilometers in the breakaway,” said Tota Magalhães. “Of course I thought about the possibility of wearing the Maglia Azzurra, but when I saw that the advantage was increasing I also started to believe that I could make it to the finish line. Unfortunately it was not like that and I will think a lot about those last thousand meters, but I am still proud of myself. Even if I did not manage to win today, in the next few days I will try again!”

“We are proud and very happy!” added Team Manager Walter Zini. “Today Tota was truly incredible and further confirmed her excellent qualities as an attacker and cyclist. Wearing the Maglia Azzurra at the Giro d’Italia Women is something to be proud of. Surely, in the next stages she will be able to get other great satisfactions. We have some very demanding days ahead of us, but we are sure that both she and our other athletes will give their all!”

Tomorrow the Giro d’Italia Women will continue with Sabbioneta (MN) – Toano (RE): 113 km that will culminate with the first uphill finish of this edition.