Van der Breggen looks sharp at the Giro, and heads into the uphill time trial with an ‘unexpected’ bonus

Anna van der Breggen had an excellent third stage in the Giro d’Italia. The Dutch leader of SD Worx-Protime was there when it mattered, as Demi Vollering of FDJ-SUEZ accelerated. No time differences were made in the general classification, but Van der Breggen will start Tuesday’s hill time trial with an unexpected bonus.

“It was a bit as expected, a pretty tough climb,” Van der Breggen said in the flash interview. “But the sprint stages before that were long and fairly easy, so it took a long time before we got such a finale. I took the mountains jersey, but that was not my intention. It was a small accident, I did not think about it at all. The mountains jersey is something beautiful for riders to fight for, so I will not try to keep it.”

On the climb to Montenars, Vollering managed to crack most of the GC riders, but not Van der Breggen, Elisa Longo Borghini of UAE Team ADQ and Marlen Reusser of Movistar. Van der Breggen then accelerated herself and reached the top first — by accident, as it happened. “It was a nice start to the climbing work. Tomorrow is an important day with the time trial.”

And that time trial is no small affair. From Belluno, the riders will cover 12.7 kilometres, but they will climb 718 metres along the way. There is a steep ascent to Nevegal, 7.4 kilometres long at an average of 8.2 per cent, with stretches that go well into double digits. It will be the first real showdown for the GC riders, Van der Breggen knows.

“It will be a tough time trial. I have not reconnoitred it yet, but I know the climb is steep. My teammate Elena Cecchini knows the area and told me the climb is difficult. I have to say that pacing is hard in a time trial, because we start and finish on the flat. You must not blow yourself up. A hill time trial like this is always special.”

The former world champion is heading into the time trial with a good feeling. “My legs felt good today, so I will take that into tomorrow. But I know it will be a very hard time trial. I am looking forward to it. We will know more about the general classification. The day after the time trial is a very hard day too, with a stage through the Dolomites, so I think these two days will be crucial. I will do my best to make it two beautiful days.”