Cerv?lo TestTeam’s Claudia H?usler is still in the maglia rosa after winning the 131.2 km 7th stage today, from Andria to Castel Del Monte, at the Giro Donne. H?usler increased her overall lead to 17 seconds over Judith Arndt (GER) Columbia in the GC (who finished second today). Mara Abbot (USA) Columbia finished third.
"Today was a very long and windy stage. Our team, once again, did a great job protecting Claudia throughout the stage," said Manel Lacambra, Sports Director. "There were a lot of attacks during the race but nothing dangerous for our jersey. Columbia chased the break aways back and were working for Arndt whose goal was to win the stage and take the bonus seconds for the maglia rosa. In the final 4 km climb there was a group with Arndt, Abbot, H?usler and Armstrong. Armstrong helped Claudia and Abbot was working for Arndt. At the end, Claudia had the best reserves and won the stage one second ahead of Judith Arndt. She also received 4 bonus seconds for the victory and now leads the GC by 17 seconds. Our goal for the final two stages will be to defend our lead. Claudia’s victory is not only a stage victory for her also a victory for the entire Cerv?lo TestTeam – they did an amazing job today. We are strong and the strongest team will win the Giro Donne."
"The wind and the hot weather made today’s stage difficult," said Claudia H?usler. "But my team protected me perfectly and has worked very hard for me so that I could save all my energy for the final climb. Without this great team it would be not possible to ride like this. In the last uphill, Columbia was leading and working for Arndt but 500m ahead of the finish they went bust and I attacked with 300m to go and won the stage."
