Demi VOLLERING. 10 with honors. What a scare, what a torment, what fear. Moving forward in progression 700 meters from the finish line, with a cadence that puts everyone to the test, including herself. She arrives at the top with just a handful of meters ahead of Pieterse, who makes her spit out her soul in the final stretch. A breathtaking race, that takes it away, welcomes it, devours it. A second victory for the European champion, who receives the applause of the world.
Puck PIETERSE. 10. Tough, the 23-year-old Dutch rider, who seems to be at sidereal distances, yet then closes the gap, not enough to win, but enough to claim the lion's share of the applause.
Paula BLASI. 9. After the Amstel, still there, showing what she's made of, what she's capable of. The 23-year-old Spanish rider seems destined to soon take center stage, meanwhile she's no longer just a supporting player.
Kasia NIEWIADOMA. 6. For someone of her class, fourth place is the bare minimum.
Anna VAN DER BREGGEN. 5.5. She's no longer a young girl, but she's the lady of the pedal who loses too many wheels nonetheless.
Magdeleine VALLIERES. 5.5. The world champion is always there, clearly with the nobility of cycling, but then she has nothing left to do but try to contain the exuberance of girls who have more of it than she does.
Pauline FERRAND-PREVOT. 5. She's the type to make bold moves, but she stalls.
Monica TRINCA COLONEL. 6. More head than legs, in a race that rewards not the steady riders, but those who have adrenaline pumping at full throttle.