Anna Henderson, the Olympic time-trial silver medallist from Paris 2024, continues to demonstrate her exceptional form.
Great Britain’s Anna Henderson triumphed in the second stage of the Women’s Giro d’Italia, seizing the coveted pink jersey as the overall leader.
Henderson, the Olympic time-trial silver medallist, narrowly surpassed French cyclist Dilyxine Miermont in a challenging uphill sprint. The duo had previously broken away from the main group (peloton) with 41.4km remaining in the 92km stage traversing the Alps.
Riding for Lidl-Trek, Henderson unseated Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser, who had claimed victory in the opening stage, to secure the pink jersey. She now holds a 15-second advantage in the overall standings.
“As a team, we strategically planned to be aggressive, anticipating a difficult final stretch. We have a team well-suited for attacking,” Henderson stated.
“Our primary objective is to win stages, and this victory reflects our commitment. I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of my teammates.”
“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and joy; I can hardly believe it. This marks my first World Tour victory and my first individual Grand Tour victory. I’m genuinely in shock.”
Italy’s Elisa Longo Borghini, the defending champion, finished sixth and currently holds third place in the general classification, trailing Henderson by 31 seconds.
The eight-day race will continue on Tuesday with a 122km stage through the Alps, from Vezza d’Oglio to Trento.
1. Anna Henderson (GBR/Lidl-Trek) 2hrs 24mins 30secs
2. Dilyxine Miermont (Fra/Ceratizit Pro Cycling Team) same time
3. Soraya Paladin (Ita/Canyon Sram) +26secs
4. Eleonora Ciabocco (Ita/Team Picnic PostNL) same time
5. Marlen Reusser (Swi/Movistar) same time
6. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita/UAE Team ADQ) same time
7. Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (SA/AG Insurance-Soudal) same time
8. Juliette Labous (Fra/FDJ-SUEZ) same time
9. Yara Kastelijn (Ned/Fenix-Deceuninck) same time
10. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned/Lidl-Trek) same time
1. Anna Henderson (GBR/Lidl-Trek) 2hrs 42mins 3secs
2. Marlen Reusser (Swi/Movistar) +15 secs
3. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita/UAE Team ADQ) +31secs
4. Anna van der Breggen (Ned/Team SD Worx-Protime) +35secs
5. Monica Trinca Colonel (Ita/Liv AlUla Jayco) +56secs
6. Shirin van Anrooij (Ned/Lidl-Trek) same time
7. Katrine Aalerud (Nor/Uno-X Mobility) +59secs
8. Antonia Niedermaier (Ger/Canyon Sram) +1min 3secs
9. Juliette Labous (Fra/FDJ-SUEZ) +1min 6secs
10. Dilyxine Miermont (Fra/Ceratizit Pro Cycling Team) +1min 10secs
Reusser wins opening stage of Women’s Giro