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Lukas Knöfler

Anna van der Breggen admits shortened stage on Finestre required a mental change 'to suffering more on this climb' as she defended Giro d’Italia Women lead

Van der Breggen Anna van der Breggen Demi Vollering Giro Isabella Holmgren Antonia Niedermaier Antonia Niedermaier Canyon Jersey Sestriere
SESTRIERE, ITALY - JUNE 06: (L-R) Anna van der Breggen of Netherlands and Team SD Worx - Protime - Pink Leader Jersey, Demi Vollering of Netherlands and Team FDJ United - SUEZ, Antonia Niedermaier of Germany and Team CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto and Isabella Holmgren of Canada and Team Lidl - Trek - White Best Young Rider Jersey ompete in the breakaway during the 37th Giro d'Italia Women 2026, Stage 8 a 106km stage from Rivoli to Sestriere 2034m / #UCIWWT / on June 06, 2026 in Sestriere, Italy. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images).

Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime) defended the maglia rosa as the general classification leader of the Giro d’Italia Women on a shortened stage 8 to the high elevation where snow and ice came into the equation.

Van der Breggen finished in the same time as stage winner Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ), who is now 49 seconds behind the 36-year-old going into the final day of racing on Sunday.

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