Giro d'Italia Women 2024: Double victory for SD Worx at first mountain finish - Niedermaier in the top 10

The first mountain finish awaited on stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia Women 2024. Once again, the SD Worx - Protime team came out on top. Niamh Fisher-Black won in the absence of Demi Vollering. The New Zealander had broken away from the group of favourites with Mavi Garcia (Liv AlUla Jayco) shortly before the finish and left the Spaniard behind on the final ramp. While Garcia was sprinted over by the competition, Fisher-Black saved a six-second lead to the finish. Behind her, her team-mate Lotte Kopecky sprinted to second place, ahead of Juliette Labous (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek), who defended the pink jersey.

I had a good feeling about this stage before the Giro - Niamh Fisher-Black

Antonia Niedermaier moves up to fourth place

Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon//SRAM Racing), the best German rider, had some problems on the final climb, but fought her way back and finished ninth, 17 seconds behind the day's winner. In the overall classification, the 21-year-old made a big leap up seven places and is now fourth. At the same time, she is also defending her lead in the junior classification.

I'm pretty happy with the result and my performance. It wasn't an easy day - especially in this heat - Antonia Niedermaier

Women's Giro d'Italia 2024 - Results: the top 10 of stage 3

1. Niamh Fisher-Black (Team SD Worx - Protime) 2:49:19
2. Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx - Protime) +0:06
3. Juliette Labous (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) +0:06
4. Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) +0:06
5. Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck) +0:10
6. Mavi Garcia (Liv AlUla Jayco) +0:12
7. Neve Bradbury (Canyon//SRAM Racing) +0:14
8. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) +0:14
9. Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon//SRAM Racing) +0:17
10. Kimberley (Le Court) Pienaar (AG Insurance - Soudal Team) +0:24

The current standings in the overall standings

1. Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) 5:52:00
2. Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx - Protime) +0:13
3. Juliette Labous (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) +0:25
4. Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon//SRAM Racing) +0:59
5. Niamh Fisher-Black (Team SD Worx - Protime) +1:00
6. Mavi Garcia (Liv AlUla Jayco) +1:26
7. Katrine Aalerud (Uno-X Mobility) +1:27
8. Pauliena Rooijakkers (Fenix-Deceuninck) +1:27
9. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) +1:30
10. Kimberley (Le Court) Pienaar (AG Insurance - Soudal Team) +1:31

How the 3rd stage of the Giro d'Italia Women 2024 went

There was a lot of attacking in the early stages, but a leading group was unable to form at first. The first promising breakaway attempt was made by Jade Wiel (FDJ-Suez), but she was dropped after just a few kilometres, shortly after the day's intermediate sprint at kilometre 59.7.

Runaway duo

A duo then pulled away: Sarah Roy (Cofidis) and Elena Pirrone (Roland). The two breakaway riders did not get more than 1:30 minutes ahead. Victory in the peloton at the first mountain finish of the 2024 Giro d'Italia women's race was too coveted. It became increasingly hectic on the approach to the final climb and there were several crashes in the peloton. Meanwhile, Roy broke away from Pirrone at the front. However, the 38-year-old Australian had no chance against the onrushing peloton. She was dropped at the foot of the final climb.

Canyon//SRAM Racing puts the pressure on on the final climb

Team Canyon//SRAM Racing took control of the race on the last climb of the day and dictated the pace in the peloton. Elise Chabbey reduced the group of favourites for the German team to around 20 riders. The picture changed six kilometres before the finish. The Swiss rider was at the end of her tether and Mavi Garcia (Liv AlUla Jayco) stepped up the pace. The 40-year-old Spaniard reduced the group to ten riders.

Niedermaier fights his way back

Three and a half kilometres before the finish, Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon//SRAM Racing) also had problems, but was able to fight her way back on a flatter section at a steady pace. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) also caught up again and rode straight past the group of favourites.

Fisher-Black launches final attack

However, the Dane did not get away, unlike Mavi Garcia, who was able to pull away slightly with Niamh Fisher-Black (Team SD Worx - Protime). Behind them, the competition looked on. Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek) finally took over for Elisa Longo Borghini on the last kilometre and tried to catch up again. However, this was no longer possible, as Fisher-Black ignited the turbo at the front and left Garcia standing in the final steep section. The New Zealander could no longer be caught and secured the day's victory, with Kopecky sprinting to second place ahead of Juliette Labous and Elisa Longo Borghini.