When Demi Vollering (FDJ United-SUEZ) crossed the line first on the shortened queen stage of the Giro d'Italia Women it was disappointment and not celebration that was written all over her face as the real goal of the day was the maglia rosa, at that point still sitting squarely on the shoulders of Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime).
The stage was, in theory, meant to be the last chance to really make the difference in the GC battle, but there was still 49 seconds and one stage that stood between Vollering and a complete set of Grand Tour victories so, once the initial fog of dismay lifted, the rider and her team started looking at things from a different perspective.
