At Salice Terme everyone was expecting a sprint finish, a compact group on the climb and a sprint more than certain. Then Silvia Persico and Elisa Longo Borghini arrived, two riders who not only are experts at disrupting team plans but truly enjoy doing it. Today they managed it again, transforming an almost predictable stage into a small masterpiece, but above all a demonstration of total strength from the Italian champion.

«Honestly, we hadn't really thought about this attack. After cresting the climb I found myself up front and they told me to go, I didn't think twice and just pushed hard. I tried to give everything possible, I'm sorry I had to ease off due to cramps in the final two kilometers, but I'm satisfied with how it went. It's only 5 seconds gained but still precious. The battle for the podium is still wide open.» Persico said, somewhat disappointed about the cramps at the end, but certainly happy to have blown the race open once again.

If at the Santo Stefano di Cadore stage Longo Borghini had struggled a bit on the climb, today the UAE ADQ team showed that the battle is far from over and that the Italian champion is ready to fight like a true lioness, after all it's her trademark. «We arrived at the Giro with many questions, but we're trying to always stay alongside Elisa and move forward day by day supporting her. Tomorrow will be a very tough stage and will certainly change everything in the general classification. I hope to feel good and help the team, it will be fundamental to have an athlete like Erica Magnaldi who knows the climb well and will try to stay with Elisa as much as possible - Silvia continues analyzing tomorrow's stage - the Colle delle Finestre is a very long climb and seeing how it went with the men last year at the Giro, it's fundamental to have the team but it's not the only thing that matters. The most important thing is to try not to crack, it's a demanding climb and from my point of view the key will be to stay focused on yourself, climb at your own pace and not go into the red». Nothing is decided yet and with the Colle delle Finestre and Sestriere everything can really change. And let's not forget that on Sunday there's always the final stage in Saluzzo which absolutely shouldn't be underestimated.