Watch: Giro d'Italia Donne stage 7 highlights

While stage 7 of the Giro d’Italia Donne was poised to be an attacking affair with its punchy, rolling terrain, it ended in an outcome that seemed inevitable. With yesterday’s commanding stage win, the Italian stage race has become the Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) show. Van Vleuten, with her interminable attacking style, was surely looking to replicate it one again.

The day went without a major breakaway as the attacks rolled from all sides. Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma), of cyclo-cross fame, was one of those main aggressors, while Anouska Koster (Uno-X) had a solo stint out front. Nevertheless, those attacks were simply the opening acts before the main show began.

With 11km to the finish Van Vleuten made her first move, pulling away with Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek) and Juliette Labous (dsm-firmenich). The two climbers gamely stuck with Van Vleuten over the penultimate climb and descent, but when the Dutch woman attacked on the last climb the pair was unable to respond. All that was left for Van Vleuten to do was cruise to the top and collect her 102nd career win.