Megan Jastrab 5th on final day sprint into Olbia

The final day of racing at the Giro d’Italia Donne saw a hilly affair but things came back together for a reduced group sprint, with Megan Jastrab taking fifth place for the team in the finale; while Juliette Labous secured second on GC.

Despite the rolling and hilly terrain on Sunday, the last climb crested with roughly 30 kilometres to go and with only attacks of one, two or three managing to break clear of the bunch before being caught – it was clear that things would come down to a reduced group finale. Working well as a group with two objectives, the team protected Labous’ place in the overall classification, while also looking to bring forward fast finisher Megan Jastrab. It was a hectic run-in, but Jastrab managed to find a good wheel going under the flamme rouge, kicking all the way to the line and taking a strong fifth place at the finish.

“We thought it was going to be harder on the climbs but a lot of the sprinters were able to survive which was nice,” expressed Jastrab. “After the eight kilometre climb there were a lot of attacks going and the girls did a really great job to keep Juliette safe and also I was there. Once we got over all of the main climbs, then we fully focused on the sprint. The girls did a great job of keeping me safe and fresh as possible. I had Francesca and Juliette there to get me to the last turn. I was in good position but was so empty in the end. I stood up but just didn’t go anywhere and fifth was the best possible on the day.”

Team dsm-firmenich coach Kelvin Dekker added: “Again it was a super hot day. I think everyone in the team was starting to feel a bit tired but we had one big objective to bring Juliette safely to the line. We did everything we could to do that. Then when we got over the climb Megan was still there and we then went full commitment for her in the sprint. I think that everyone that was there did everything they could to bring her in a good position to the line. Fifth was a good finish position, and she’s had a hard Giro suffering on the hills, so it was nice to be able to get another chance to go for a result with her.”