Veenhoven sprints to ninth place in second stage Giro d’Italia Women
# Veenhoven Secures Ninth Place in Intense Second Stage of Giro d’Italia Women
In a display of resilience and teamwork, Nienke Veenhoven of Team Visma | Lease a Bike sprinted to a commendable ninth place in the second stage of the Giro d’Italia Women held in the scenic coastal town of Caorle. Following a largely flat route, the day’s finish was graced by another thrilling bunch sprint reminiscent of the previous stage.
This time, Team Visma | Lease a Bike made significant strides towards the front, with the 22-year-old Veenhoven being expertly positioned for her sprint. Teammate Margaux Vigié played a crucial role in setting her up for the final push. “It went a lot better than yesterday. We came through the climb halfway through the stage well, and after that it was just about staying calm. The sprint didn’t go exactly as planned, but for now I’m satisfied. The next opportunity we get, we need to grab with both hands and fight for the podium,” Veenhoven remarked after the race, showcasing her determination and strategic mindset.
Sports director Joppe de Heij echoed Veenhoven’s sentiments, observing that she appeared much stronger compared to her performance the day before. “I wouldn’t have expected this yesterday. We actually did a really good job today. Margaux put Nienke into a good position and she was able to sprint. During the stage, she had been at the car a few times, and her signals gave us good hope for the final. I’m very happy about that,” he noted.
Looking ahead, the third stage brings a notable challenge with two climbs that might make a sprint difficult. De Heij emphasized the importance of tactical racing: “For us, the goal is to come through the day well and avoid losing time with the general classification in mind. That will be important for Tuesday,” he added, referencing the daunting twelve-kilometer time trial that culminates on the steep ascent to Nevegal (7.4 km at 8.2%).
### Giro d’Italia Women Stage 2 Results
1. **Elisa Balsamo** (Lidl – Trek) – 03:57:49
2. **Lara Gillespie** (UAE Team ADQ) – +00:00:00
3. **Chiara Consonni** (CANYON//SRAM) – +00:00:00
9. **Nienke Veenhoven** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +00:00:00
17. **Margaux Vigié** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +00:00:00
### Overall Standings After Stage 2
1. **Elisa Balsamo** – 07:15:51
2. **Lara Gillespie** – +00:00:08
3. **Chiara Consonni** – +00:00:12
12. **Margaux Vigié** – +00:00:20
127. **Nienke Veenhoven** – +00:06:24
As the race continues, all eyes will be on Veenhoven and her team as they strategize for the upcoming stages in the quest for podium finishes.
