The long and relatively flat roads on Stage 5 on the 2012 Giro Donne suggested a day for the sprinters, but Tiffany Cromwell (Orica-AIS) had other plans.
The 23-year-old Australian threw caution to the wind at around the 3 kilometer mark of the 118.7 kilometer long route and simply road away from the peloton. At one juncture, Cromwell built a lead of over 13 minutes on the seemingly unmotivated pack and became the virtual race leader on the road.
She would end her long solo sojourn in Molinella 8 minutes and 33 seconds ahead of a hard rushing group contesting the sprint for second place, which went to World Champion Giorgia Bronzini (Diadora - Pasta Zara) who pipped Italian countryman, Valentina Scandolara (S.C. Michela Fanini Rox) and the line.
"It was a long day and really hard, but it was worth it," stated an exhausted but elated Cromwell. "Our team does not have a sprinter so we had no other choice than to attack. At first I did not think could do it, but it was all for the better."
Results - Stage 5 - Polesella - Molinella (118.7km)
1. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Orica-AIS - 3:07:52
2. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Diadora - Pasta Zara - 0:08:33
3. Valentina Scandolara (Ita) S.C. Michela Fanini Rox
Marianne Vos (Stichting Rabo Women) maintained her overall race lead despite the overwhelming margin of victory of Cromwell, who for her efforts slid into the top five of the General Classification.
General Classification After Stage 5
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Stichting Rabo Women Cycling Team - 13:33:19
2. Evelyn Stevens (USA) Team Specialized - Lululemon - 0:01:31
3. Emma Pooley (GBr) AA Drink - Leontien.nl Cycling Team - 0:02:07
4. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Faren Honda Team - 0:02:37
5. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Orica-AIS - 0:03:46
6. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) MCipollini Giambenini - 0:04:08
7. Claudia Hausler (Ger) Orica-AIS - 0:04:15
8. Judith Arndt (Ger) Orica-AIS - 0:04:25
9. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Hitec Products - Mistral Home Cycling Team - 0:05:00
10. Ashleigh Moolman (RSA) Lotto Belisol Ladies
Other Notables
11. Emma Johansson (Swe) Hitec Products - Mistral Home Cycling Team - 0:06:52
18. Clara Hughes (Can) Team Specialized - Lululemon - 0:15:33
33. Shelley Olds (USA) AA Drink - Leontien.nl Cycling Team - 0:26:13
53. Ina Yoko Teutenberg (Ger) Team Specialized - Lululemon - 0:42:37
54. Chloe Hosking (Aus) Team Specialized - Lululemon - 0:42:44
59. Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) Faren Honda Team - 0:44:11
72. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Diadora - Pasta Zara - 0:49:48
81. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) AA Drink - Leontien.nl Cycling Team - 0:50:15
88. Nicole Cooke (GBr) Faren Honda Team - 0:50:32
89. Ally Stacher (USA) Team Specialized - Lululemon - 0:50:36
92. Liza Rachetto (USA) Forno d'Asolo Colavita - 0:50:53
97. Amber Pierce (USA) Diadora - Pasta Zara - 0:51:13
101. Lucy Martin (GBr) AA Drink - Leontien.nl Cycling Team - 0:51:35
102. Whitney Gaggioli (USA) Forno d'Asolo Colavita - 0:51:45
Jersey Leaders After Stage 5
Pasta Zara Leader's Jersey (pink) - Evelyn Stevens (Team Specialized Lululemon)
Rock No War Onlus Points Jersey (yellow) - Marianne Vos (Stichting Rabobank)
Epiù Energia - Gruppo Iseni Queen of the Mountains Jersey (green) - Emma Pooley (AA Drink Leontien.nl)
Servetto Best Young Rider Jersey (white) - Elisa Longo Borghini (Hitec Products Mistral Home)
Santero Best Italian Rider Jersey (blue) - Fabiana Luperini (Faren Honda Team)
Next: Stage 6 - Modena - Salsomaggiore (122.2km)
Photo: Mark Gunter
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