Vollering wins stage five to move second in Giro

BySteve Sutcliffe

BBC Sport journalist

Demi Vollering won stage five of the women's Giro d'Italia as Anna van der Breggen retained the overall leader's pink jersey.

Dutch rider Vollering pipped her compatriot to the line in a four-way sprint at the end of the first mountain stage of this year's race, with Germany's Antonia Niedermaier in third on the same time and Canada's Isabella Holmgren, two seconds back.

Elisa Longo Borghini, who has won the two previous editions of the race, was dropped on the final climb of the 146km route into Santo Stefano di Cadore.

However, the Italian made up ground on the descent to lose just 15 seconds on the day, as she crossed the line in fifth, with New Zealand's Niamh Fisher-Black on her wheel.

"It was a very hard day, with the race splitting much earlier than expected," said Vollering.

"Fortunately, I had Lauren Dickson with me, and she kept the pace high before I launched my attack. Now we need to avoid any risks over the next two stages before Saturday's queen stage."

Vollering's triumph completed her set of Grand Tour stage victories and moved her up to second in the general classification a minute behind four-time winner Van der Breggen.

The former Tour de France Femmes and La Vuelta Femenina champion is aiming to become only the second rider to win all three Grand Tours in women's cycling after Annemiek van Vleuten.

On Thursday, the race travels 159km from Ala to Brescello, on flat run that has a technical finale that is likely to lead to a bunch sprint to the line.

1. Demi Vollering (Ned/FDJ United-Suez) 4hrs 23mins 47secs

2. Anna Van der Breggen (Ned/Team SD Worx-Protime) Same time

3. Antonia Niedermaier (Ger/Canyon/SRAM) Same time

4. Isabella Holmgren (Can/Lidl-Trek) +02secs

5. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita/UAE Team ADQ) +15secs

6. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZ/Lidl-Trek) Same time

7. Marlen Reusser (Swi/Movistar) +53secs

8. Magdeleine Vallieres (Can/EF Education-Oatly) Same time

9. Femke de Vries (Ned/Visma Lease a Bike) Same time

10. Lore de Schepper (Bel/AG Insurance - Soudal Team) +56secs

1. Anna Van der Breggen (Ned/Team SD Worx-Protime) 15hrs 55mins 13secs

2. Demi Vollering (Ned/FDJ United-Suez) +1min

3. Antonia Niedermaier (Ger/Canyon/SRAM) +1mins 24secs

4. Isabella Holmgren (Can/Lidl-Trek) +2mins 01secs

5. Marlen Reusser (Swi/Movistar) +2mins 03secs

6. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita/UAE Team ADQ) +2mins 12secs

7. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZ/Lidl-Trek) +2mins 33secs

8. Femke de Vries (Ned/Visma Lease a Bike) +2mins 38secs

9. Monica Trinca Colonel (Ita/Liv AlUla Jayco) +3mins 21secs

10. Urska Zigart (Slo/AG Insurance-Soudal) +3mins 26secs