A fast start made it difficult to form a leading group. Fransizka Brausse rode solo for a while, but the peloton did not drop the pace. The race exploded only on the day’s toughest climb, the Colle del Barbotto. Several classification riders attacked and broke away from the peloton. Team Jumbo-Visma could not keep up in the front in the sweltering heat. A duo made it to the finish with a significant lead. Annemiek van Vleuten won the stage.

“It didn’t quite go according to plan today”, said race coach Carmen Small. “We were riding for Marianne Vos, but she had a hard time when the race exploded on the middle climb. The heat made it extra difficult. We will let our riders recover and focus on the next few days. Tomorrow we expect a sprint. We look forward to that.”