Stratospheric: there are almost no words to describe Anna Van Der Breggen's time trial performance at the Giro Women. The Dutch champion literally dominated the individual time trial, dropping her rivals by over 1 minute and returning to wear the pink jersey. It has been almost 5 years since the last time this happened, the time trial at the Cascate del Toce in July 2021, with Anna's retirement from racing in between, her comeback, and now her dominance once again. 

Second place went to Marlen Reusser who delivered an outstanding climb but lost 1'04" at the finish line, third was Demi Vollering at 1'10". Best Italian Monica Trinca Colonel who closed in fifth position at 1'31".

THE RACE. A highly anticipated and crucial stage for the general classification. An individual time trial of 12.7 km, a time trial climb from Belluno to Nevegal that mirrors the 2011 Giro stage won by Alberto Contador. The climb, officially 11 km long, has an average gradient of 6.4% with peaks of 15%. 

The early part of the day was characterized by solid performances from Valentina Venerucci and then Solene Muller who led the provisional standings for a long time. The situation changed dramatically with the arrival of Marlen Reusser, the world champion in the discipline who, after a controlled start, delivered an incredible climb that redefined the provisional standings. It was immediately a head-to-head between her and Demi Vollering, with an excellent Monica Trinca Colonel inserting herself and being the best at the first intermediate point for quite some time. 

Anna Van der Breggen chose to tackle the stage with a time trial bike, just as Vollering had done. From the very beginning it was clear how the Dutch champion, at the first intermediate point was already 30 seconds ahead of her rivals and kilometer after kilometer she increased her advantage, which touched one minute at the finish line. 

Tomorrow the race will restart with Van der Breggen in pink for the fifth stage from Longarone to Santo Stefano di Cadore. 146 km with 4 climbs to tackle, a complicated stage in which all the general classification contenders will have to deal with the aftermath of today's incredible time trial. 

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STAGE RESULTS

1  van der Breggen Anna Team SD Worx-Protime 00:31:38

2  Reusser Marlen Movistar Team + 01:04

3  Vollering Demi FDJ United-SUEZ + 01:10

4  Niedermaier Antonia CANYON//SRAM + 01:26

5  Trinca Colonel Monica Liv AlUla Jayco + 01:31

6  Dickson Lauren FDJ United-SUEZ + 01:38

7  de Vries Femke Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 01:39

8  Longo Borghini Elisa UAE Team ADQ + 01:51

9  Zigart Urska AG Insurance-Soudal Team + 01:54

10 Holmgren Isabella Lidl-Trek + 01:55

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 

1  van der Breggen Anna Team SD Worx-Protime 11:31:32

2  Reusser Marlen Movistar Team + 01:04

3  Vollering Demi FDJ United-SUEZ + 01:10

4  Niedermaier Antonia CANYON//SRAM + 01:26

5  Trinca Colonel Monica Liv AlUla Jayco + 01:31

6  Dickson Lauren FDJ United-SUEZ + 01:38

7  de Vries Femke Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 01:39

8  Longo Borghini Elisa UAE Team ADQ + 01:51

9  Zigart Urska AG Insurance-Soudal Team + 01:54

10 Holmgren Isabella Lidl-Trek + 01:55