Femke de Vries rides to impressive fifth place in queen stage
# Femke de Vries Excels with Fifth Place Finish in Giro d’Italia Women’s Queen Stage
In an exhilarating display of endurance and strategy, Femke de Vries of Team Visma | Lease a Bike secured a commendable fifth place in the queen stage of the Giro d’Italia Women. The race kicked off with a substantial breakaway of sixteen riders, where Team Visma’s Rosita Reijnhout played a crucial role at the front, contributing significantly to the group’s early lead.
As the peloton faced the grueling ascent of the Colle delle Finestre, de Vries benefited immensely from the tireless efforts of her teammates. Marion Bunel provided vital support, helping de Vries maintain her position early in the climb. Once the favorites’ group caught up, Reijnhout continued to support de Vries, showcasing the strong team dynamic.
The stage was disrupted when race organizers decided to move the finish line approximately one kilometer before the climb’s summit due to a landslide threat. This decision prioritized safety amid the unstable conditions, particularly a precarious ice sheet looming over the course.
Despite these challenges, racing continued along the gravel roads of the Finestre. Demi Vollering excelled and clinched the stage victory, while de Vries demonstrated her climbing prowess, finishing fifth and further enhancing her standing in the general classification.
Reflecting on the day’s events, de Vries remarked, “It was really fast today. Daniek and Nienke positioned me perfectly at the foot of the Finestre, and I started the climb as the third rider. I felt comfortable in the group and stayed right on Anna van der Breggen’s wheel. When Demi made her move, it was just a little too fast for me.”
De Vries noted the uncertainty surrounding the finish: “It was very unclear where the finish actually was. I even asked when I crossed that tape, ‘This really is the finish, right?’”
Thanks to her impressive performance, de Vries climbed to sixth overall in the general classification, setting her sights on a strong finish in the final stage. She confidently stated, “We’re definitely going for a top five tomorrow. It will be a tricky finale, and you never know what can happen.”
With only one stage remaining in the Giro d’Italia Women, the anticipation builds for de Vries and her teammates as they aim for another outstanding performance to conclude the competition.
