Giro d'Italia Femminile, Cat 2.9.1

Italy, July 2-11 1997

Stage 1, Barrea-Pescasseroli, 104 kms:

 1. Diana Ziliute (Lit) Accadue O Lorena)	2.30.48 (avs 36.605)
 2. Chiappa (Ita) Edilsavino
 3. Parente (Ita) Edilsavino
 4. Bengoa (Spa)
 5. E. Pucinskaite (Lit)
 6. Catherine Marsal (Fra)
 7. A. Cappellotto (Ita)
 8. V. Cappellotto (Ita)
 9. Pegoraro (Ita)
10. Valvik (Nor) 

12. Barbara Heeb (Swi)
13. Chevanne Brunel (Fra)
15. Elizabeth Tadich (Australian Team)
16. Luperini (Ita)
24. R. Bonanomi (Ita)

Stage 1 Report from Australian Women's Road Manager

There were 126 starters and 1 x Cat 2 & 1 x Cat 3 climb in the stage.

Only about 40 - 50 left in main group at finish ; rest spread over about 1 hour.

4 Australians - Elizabeth Tadich best Australian at 15th and Charlotte White, Lyn Nixon and Hayley Huch were in the main group.

Of the other Australians, Juanita Feldhahn who was recovering from stomach bug 2 days before Tour lost approx 2-3 mins and Kathy Watt, still carrying a niggling hamstring, suffered breathing difficulties with the hot and dusty conditions (causing recurring asthma problems), lost 8-10 mins. Watt will be okay for tomorrow's stage.

All Australian girls raced well on first day ; no serious breakaway attempts from any teams.

Past Giro d'Italia and Tour Feminin winner, Fabiana Luperini from "SANSON - Italy" remains favourite, with world road champion from Switzerland, Barbara Heeb also looking good.

Italian teams "SANSON" and "DREAM TEAM" kept 1st stage controlled.

Tomorrow's (Thursday's) stage is not difficult; only one Cat 3 climb near finish and a total of 118 kms.

Stage 2, 116 kms:

 1. Nada Cristofoli (Ita) Sanson Mimosa		2.58.02  (avs 39,094)
 2. Imelda Chiappa (Ita) Edilsavino
 3. Yvonne Brunen (Ned) Olanda-Germania
 4. Parente (Ita)
 5. Ziliute (Lit)
 6. V. Cappellotto (Ita)
 7. Schnorf (Swi)
 8. Stiajkina (Ukr)
 9. Marsal (Fra)
10. Chevanne Brunel (Fra)

GC after Stage 2

 1. Imelda Chiappa (Ita) Edilsavino		5.28.50
 2. Diana Ziliute (Lit) Accadue O Lorena
 3. Simona Parente (Ita) Edilsavino
 4. Bengoa (Spa)
 5. V. Cappellotto (Ita)
 6. Marsal (Fra)
 7. Pucinskaite (Lit)
 8. Chevanne Brunel (Fra)
 9. Schnorf (Swi)
10. A. Cappellotto (Ita)
11. Valvik (Nor)
12. Stiajkina (Ukr)
13. Pegoraro (Ita)
14. Sundstedt (Fin)
15. Heeb (Swi)
17. Sommariba (Spa)
20. Luperini (Ita)

24. R. Bonanomi (Ita)
30. Cristofoli (Ita) 				    3.11

Stage 3, Morrovalle-Macerata, 115 kms:

 1. V. Cappellotto (Italy) Sanson Mimosa     3.08.57 (avs 36.518 kph)
 2. D. Zilute (Italy) Dream Girls		s.t.
 3. I. Chiappa (Italy) Edil Savino		s.t.
 4. E. Pucinskaite (Lith) Dream Girls		s.t.
 5. F. Luperini (Italy) Sanson Mimosa		s.t.	
...
32. Charlotte White (Australia)			1.16
33. Juanita Feldhahn (Australia)		s.t.
36. Elizabeth Tadich (Australia)		s.t.
39. Lyn Nixon (Australia)			s.t.
45. Kathy Watt (Australia)			1.31
47. Hayley Huch (Australia)			s.t.

113 starters, 109 finishers

GC after Stage 3

 1. I. Chiappa (Italy) Edil Savino	     8.37.47 (avs 37.429 kph)
 2. D. Zilute (Italy) Dream Girls		s.t.
 3. V. Cappellotto (Italy) Sanson Mimosa     	s.t.
...
30. Elizabeth Tadich (Australia)		2.20
31. Charlotte White (Australia)			2.28
32. Lyn Nixon (Australia)			s.t.
34. Hayley Huch (Australia)			2.43
44. Juanita Feldhahn (Australia)		6.49
67. Kathy Watt (Australia)		       11.34

Report from Australian Women's Team

The Stage started at 12 noon in 32 degree heat, reaching a max. of 38 during the stage, and an average of 34. Anne Samplonious (Canada) broke clear and rode solo for 80 km in the searing heat, before being caught at just 2 km to go.

At one stage Samplonious was 6 min. in front, although the peloton was under control with Tour leader Chiappa's team and Sanson Mimosa setting a steady pace. A 5 km climb to the finish in the village of Macerata saw Samplonious 2.20 in front at the bottom, and being caught in the first 3 km of the climb. A gutsy ride from the Canadian, who eventually came in 70th place at 2.40.

The Australians, who had been very aggressive in initiating attacks in the first 2 stages were cautious today. The first 2 stages saw their every move negated by Italians. There is 9 days to go, hot days expected, and some big mountain passes to traverse. Favourite, Luperini (Sanson Mimosa-Italy) punctured at 20 km and her whole team stopped to help her. With the amount of climbing remaining in the tour, the 2 time GIro and Tour de France Feminin winner, looks set for some soul destroying time gaps at the finish of the harder stages, with world champion Heeb from Switzerland her only likely threat at this stage. Luperini's team mates are a very well drilled unit and supporting superbly, as well as winning stages.

Stage 4, Gubbio-Umbertide, 108.5 km:

Climbs include a Cat 3 at 77 kms and a Cat 2 at 101 kms. There is a fast 6 kms descent off the Cat 2 climb to the finish. There will be splits in the peloton expected on the way in to Umbertide. 
1. Diana Ziliute (Latvia)             2.41.36 (39.356 Km/h)
2. Barbara Heeb (Switzerland)
3. Fabiana Luperini (Italy)
4. Edita Pucinskaite (Latvia)
5. Linda Jackson (Canada)          	0.29

GC after Stage 4

 1. Diana Ziliute (Latvia)
 2. Edita Pucinskaite (Latvia)
 3. Barbara Heeb (Switzerland)
 4. Fabiana Luperini (Italy)
 5. Valeria Cappellotto (Italy)     	0.29

Stage 5, Castrocaro Terme-Forli, 112 km:

Climbs include a Cat 2 at 49 kms and again at 77 kms, and a Cat 3 at 93 kms. A hard stage, and although the climbs are not long they are extremely steep in sections. The peloton is expected to split all day. 
 1. Fabiana Luperini (Sanson Mimosa)	     3.14.40 (avs 35.753)
 2. A. Cappellotto (Sanson Mimosa) 		2.23
 3. Pegoraro (Sanson Vittorio Veneto)
 4.Chiappa
 5. Heeb
 6. Brunel
 7. Bandini
 8. V. Cappellotto
 9. Pucinskaite (Lit)
10. Stiahkina (Ukr)

14. Ziliute (Lit) 				5.58

GC after Stage 5

 1. Fabiana Luperini (Sanson Mimosa) 			    14.34.03
 2. Pucinskaite (Lit) Accadue O Lorena Camicie Dream Girls	2.23
 3. Heeb (Swi) 							2.23
 4. V. Cappellotto 						2.52
 5. Jackson (Can)						3.04
 6. Chiappa							3.09

Stage 6, ITT 20 kms:

 1. Diana Ziliute (Lit)        26.18 (45,627 km/h)
 2. Imelda Chiappa (Ita)      	0.17
 3. Lina Jackson (Can)        	0.28
 4. Pregnolato (Ita)          	0.30
 5. Catherine Marsal (Fra)    	0.45
 6. Somarriba (Spa)           	1.02
 7. Andrea Cappellotto (Ita)  	1.14
 8. Edita Pucinskaite (Lit)   	1.17
 9. Pegoraro (Ita)            	1.35
10. Bengoa (Spa)            	1.36
...
27. Fabiana Luperini (Ita)   	3.03

GC after Stage 6:

 1. Fabiana Luperini (Ita)  15.03.24
 2. Imelda Chiappa (Ita)    	0.23
 3. Linda Jackson (Can)     	0.29
 4. Edita Pucinskaite (Lit) 	0.37
 5. Andrea Cappellotto (Ita)   	1.20
 6. Barbara Heeb (Swi)         	1.37
 7. Pegoraro (Ita)             	2.22
 8. Diana Ziliute (Lit)      	2.55
 9. V. Cappellotto (Ita)    	3.05
10. Roberta Bonanomi (Ita)     	3.07

Stage 7, Monteselice, 99 kms:

 1. Catherine Marsal (Fra) 	2.28.01 (avs 40,131)
 2. Regina Schleicher (Ger)
 3. Sara Felloni (Ita) Edilsavino
 4. Urbonaite (Lit)
 5. Cristofoli (Ita)
 6. Faccin (Ita)
 7. Longhin (Ita)
 8. Grossi (Ita)
 9. Valvik (Nor)
10. Holden (USA)

GC after Stage 7

 1. Fabiana Luperini (Ita) Sanson Mimosa    17.31.25
 2. Chiappa (Ita) Edilsavino			0.23
 3. Jackson (Can) 				0.29
 4. E. Pucinskaite (Lit) 			0.37
 5. A. Cappellotto (Ita) 			1.20

Stage 8, 111 Kms:

1 Sylvie Riedle (France)     	     2.45.37
2 Diana Ziliute (Latvia)         	0.57
3 Schnorf (Switzerland)
4 Parente (Italy)
...
25 Luperini (Italy)

G.C. after Stage 8

 1. Fabiana Luperini (Italy)        15.03.24
 2. Imelda Chiappa (Italy)          	0.23
 3. Linda Jackson (Canada)          	0.29
 4. Edita Pucinskaite (Latvia)     	0.37
 5. Alessandra Cappellotto (Italy)	1.20
 6. Barbara Heeb (Switzerland)    	1.37
 7. Luisiana Pegoraro (Italy)     	2.22
 8. Diana Ziliute (Latvia)       	2.55
 9. Valeria Cappellotto (Italy)   	3.05
10. Roberta Bonanomi (Italy)     	3.07

Stage 9, Agordo, 91 kms:

 1. Fabiana Luperini (Italy)    2.52.26 (31.664 Km/h)
 2. Imelda Chiappa (Italy)         2.44
 3. Edita Pucinskaite (Lituania)
 4. Linda Jackson (Canada)
 5. Barbara Heeb (Switzerland)     4.20

G.C. after Stage 9

 1. Fabiana Luperini (Italy)   23.10.25
 2. Imelda Chiappa (Italy)         3.07
 3. Linda Jackson (Canada)         3.13
 4. Edita Pucinskaite (Lituania)   3.21
 5. Barbara Heeb (Switzerland)     5.57

Stage 9 report

Fabiana Luperini attacked on mythic dolomitic "Rolle pass" and after climbing "Valles pass" too she arrived alone to Agordo. Fabiana wins the special Michela Fanini Trophy dedicated to the memory of the young champion of italian women cycling died two years ago.

Stage 10, Forgaria - Mt. Zoncolan, 79 kms:

 1. Luperini, Fabiana (Italy) Sanson Mimosa  2.26.58 (avs 32.252 km/h)
 2. Barbara Heeb (Swi) Swiss National Team	0.34
 3. Jackson, L.	(Canada) Canadian National team	1.33
 4. Puchinskaite, E (Lith) Accadue Dream Girls  2.14
 5. Pegoraro, L (Italy) Sanson Vittorio V.	2.17

Australians  --

17. Kathy Watt, K.				4.41
24. Lyn Nixon, L.				6.14
30. Charlotte White, C.				7.06
32. Elizabeth Tadich, E.			7.23
43. J. Feldhahn					9.06 
49. Hayley Huch					9.21

101 starters 
99 finishers

GC after Stage 10

 1. Luperini, Fabiana (Italy) Sanson Mimosa	
 2. Jackson, L.	(Canada) Canadian National team	 4.46
 3. Puchinskaite, E (Lith) Accadue Dream Girls   5.35
 4. Barbara Heeb (Swi) Swiss National Team	 6.31
 5. Imelda Chiappa (Italy) Edil Savino		 7.03

Australians

21. Kathy Watt			28.33
26. Charlotte White		32.45  
27. Lyn Nixon			34.21 
34. Elizabeth Tadich		40.14
42. J. Feldhahn			49.51
44. Hayley Huch			53.23

Stage 10 Report

Finishing on Monte Zoncolan, this stage provided the nail to deliver the final blow, with Luperini dominating on what can only be described as a soul destroying finish to the 10th stage. For those cycling enthusiasts, 39 x 23-25 were the gear selections for the last 9 km climb to the stage finish.

Luperini has an unassailable lead, with her Italian "Sanson Mimosa" team clearly the strongest team of the Giro to defend Luperini's lead. Sanson Mimosa lead the Teams classification from the Swiss National Team by 29 min. 42 secs with Australia in 7th position.

Stage 11, Tolmesso - Udine, 99 kms:

 1. Pregnalato, G (Italy) Edil Savino       2.30.00 (avs 40 km/h)		
 2. Chiappa, I (Italy) Edil Savino		s.t.
 3. Zilute, D (Lit) Accadue Dream Girls		s.t.
 4. Holden, M (USA) Euregio Egrensis		s.t.
 5. Yvonne Brunen (Ned)
 6. Yvonne Schnorf (Swi)
 7. Monika Valvik (Nor)
 8. Elizabeth Tadich (Australia)		0.05
 9. Regina Schleicher (Ger)
10. Cristofoli (Ita)

Other Australian Riders:

17. Kathy Watt  	  		0.10 
    Lyn Nixon				s.t.
    J. Feldhahn				s.t.
    Hayley Huch				s.t.
    Charlotte White			8.00 + 	?

99 starters
99 finishers

GC after Stage 11


 1. Fabiana Luperini (Italy) Sanson Mimosa           27.51.13	
 2. Linda Jackson (Canada) Canadian National team	 4.46
 3. Edita Puchinskaite (Lith) Accadue Dream Girls   	 5.35
 4. Barbara Heeb (Swi) Swiss National Team	 	 6.31
 5. Imelda Chiappa (Italy) Edil Savino		 	 7.03
 6. Pegoraro (Ita)                 			11.12
 7. A. Cappellotto (Ita)           			12.09
 8. Elisabeth Chevanne Brunel (Fra)			12.21
 9. Diana Ziliute (Lit)            			13.24
10. Roberta Bonanomi (Ita)        			13.36

Australian Women's Team Report

With Italian teams 'Edil Savino' and the 'Accadue Dream Team' having 1 point difference between their respective sprinters for the Blue Sprinters jersey, the speed was extremely high throughout the stage for the intermediate sprints. Australian Elizabeth Tadich was by far the most aggressive throughout the stage, attacking continually to try and get away from the main group. Her last effort had her clear by 10 secs. with American Mari Holden at 1 km to go.

Tadich had a podium position all sewn up coming out of the last right hand corner at 300 metres to go, before pulling her foot from the pedal and finishing in 8th place. The rest of the Australian finished in the large following group, with Charlotte White the only Australian losing significant time after having what we say in cycling terms, " A BAD DAY IN THE OFFICE ! "

After stage 11, all 6 Australians are still in the tour with our best on G.C. Kathy Watt. Kathy has made a steady recovery from her asthma problem over the past week, and has moved up from 79th after Stage 1, to now be 21st after stage 11, at 28 min. 33 sec. off the lead.

Luperini and her team 'Sanson Mimosa' have defended the Pink Leaders Jersey superbly, with the 2 times Giro d'Italia and Tour Feminin winner, set to accept her 3rd Giro crown.

With 1 stage remaining, Luperini is 4m 46 secs. ahead of Linda Jackson, Canada, with Edita Pucinskaite, Lithuania at 5 min. 35 secs. in 3rd.

Swiss World champion, Barbara Heeb has suffered some bad luck with 2 crashes, in the last 3 days, but has climbed superbly all tour just behind Luperini. Heeb holds down 4th place at 6 min. 31 secs. Italian Olympic silver medallist, Imelda Chiappa is 5th at 7 min. 3 secs.

1 stage to go ; Flat and no doubt fast again, with the sprinters jersey still close. With no significantly fast finishers in the Australian team, we will again endeavour to be aggressive throughout the stage.

From Tuesday, July 15 the Australian Women's Team can be contacted in Hahn, Germany - Fax. No. 49 6543 509 308.

Stage 12, Trieste, 110 kms

 1 Diana Ziliute (Lituania)    2.33.18
 2 Faccin (Italy)
 3 Fernandez (Spain)
 4 Parente (Italy)
 5 Felloni (Italy)
 6 Holden (USA)
 7 Stagourskaia (Bielorussia)
 8 Schleicher (Germany)
 9 Urbonaite (Lituania)
10 Brunel (France)

Final GC

 1. Fabiana Luperini (Italy) Sanson Mimosa	    30.24.31
 2. Linda Jackson (Canada) Canadian National team	4.46
 3. Edita Puchinskaite (Lith) Accadue Dream Girls	5.35
 4. Barbara Heeb (Swi) Swiss National Team		6.31
 5. Imelda Chiappa (Italy) Edil Savino			7.03
 6. Pegoraro (Ita) 				       11.12
 7. A. Cappelotto (Ita) 			       12.09
 8. Elisabeth Chevanne Brunel (Fra)		       12.21
 9. Diana Ziliute (Lit)				       13.24
10. Roberta Bonanomi (Ita)			       13.38

Other G.C.

Maglia Ciclamino (Points)

1 Diana Ziliute (Lituania)        192 p.
2 Imelda Chiappa (Italy)          147 p.
3 Fabiana Luperini (Italy)        103 p.

Maglia Verde (Mountain)

1 Fabiana Luperini (Italy)         41 p.
2 Barbara Heeb (Switzerland)       23 p.
3 Imelda Chiappa (Italy)            7 p.

Maglia Bianca (Under 23)

1 Edita Pucinskaite (Lituania) 30.30.06
2 Chevanne Brunel (France)         6.46
3 Diana Ziliute (Lituania)         7.49

Maglia Blu (Sprints)

1 Greta Zocca (Italy)              42 p.
2 Felloni (Italy)                  39 p.
3 Diana Ziliute (Lituania)         17 p.

Maglia Arancio (Strangers)

1 Linda Jackson (Canada)       30.29.17
2 Edita Pucinskaite (Lituania)       49
3 Barbara Heeb (Switzerland)       1.45

Teams

1 Sanson Mimosa (Italy)        91.37.00
2 Switzerland National Team       29.42
3 Accadue O Lorena (Italy)        30.42