ELISA BALSAMO 10 WITH HONORS. If a higher grade existed, she would deserve that too and perhaps it still wouldn't be enough. Today Elisa Balsamo was perfect, monumental. The pink jersey wearer knew that the Montenars climb could have knocked her out of contention, so she pedaled not only with her heart, but with plenty of tactical sense. She climbed at her own pace, managed to get into a small group and then used the following kilometers to catch her breath. She had studied this stage, analyzed it in minute detail and reviewed it properly with the first passage under the finish line. So in the final sprint Elisa didn't get caught off guard, nobody even managed to pull alongside her. Three victories in three days, phenomenal.

ELISA LONGO BORGHINI 9. The third day wasn't exactly made for her, but it's a third day in which the Italian champion doesn't hold back, quite the opposite. In the group she's one of the most active, always up front, always ready. On the climb she's there watching carefully and as soon as Vollering attacks she latches onto her wheel and doesn't give her even a meter. Once the group comes back together she pulls for her teammates and throws herself into the sprint to grab the time bonus that slips literally through her fingers by just one position. Longo is there and tomorrow she'll be ready for battle in the Nevegal time trial.

LILY WILLIAMS 8. Today beating Elisa Balsamo was impossible, but she still throws herself into the sprint, tries until the end, a second place that for her is worth gold.

SD WORX PROTIME 8. Lorena Wiebes' disqualification has undoubtedly left important repercussions that have disrupted the balance, but certainly the remaining athletes aren't throwing in the towel. First they attack with Barbara Guarischi, on the climb they launch Anna Van Der Breggen who takes the blue jersey and in the finale they close third with Femke Gerritse. It's true that if Wiebes had been there they could have aimed for something bigger, but with ifs and buts you don't get anywhere...

SIGRID HAUGSET 8. While everyone is watching each other she attempts the big move. Six kilometers from the finish and the Norwegian from Team Uno X Mobility tries an action that is simply impossible. Yet she believes in it, pushes straight ahead without ever looking back. Her dream ends just under 300 meters from the finish, but at least she tried.

TONETTI, JACKSON, PAVESI 8. They go on the attack practically from kilometer zero, push hard, believe in it, with the wind and with the rain. While their other breakaway companions give up, they decide to keep going, relaunch their action and try until the end. They only surrender at the foot of the climb.

TOP GIRLS FASSA BORTOLO 8. Lucio Rigato and his riders know very well that the Giro is a precious opportunity to make a name for themselves and so they try to make the most of it. Always attacking, always attacking without ever holding back. They're the only team that manages to get into the breakaway in all 3 stages disputed, even with 4 different athletes. Twice they win the combativity award and for one day they wear the white jersey, for now their Giro is a great one.

MARLEN REUSSER AND TEAM MOVISTAR 6. Marlen is there and on the climb she's with all the best riders, but given how she had the team working we expected much more. Team Movistar spends a lot chasing the breakaway riders, but the moment the climb starts the only one remaining is the Swiss athlete...

DEMI VOLLERING 5. She's the strongest athlete on paper, has a real armada at her service and wants to immediately show who's in charge, but at the crucial moment she holds back. She rarely makes mistakes usually, but today her tactics aren't very clear. On the climb she sacrifices Celia Gery, effectively excluding her from the stage victory and suggesting she's ready to go all out. Demi attacks, stops and while everyone tries to push straight ahead she doesn't give an inch. A pointless move on her part given that tomorrow there's the Nevegal time trial.