"I am delighted with her performance" - Jumbo-Visma sports director has only words of praise for Fem van Empel after stage 2 of Giro Donne

Fem van Empel finished the first mountain test of Giro d'Italia Donne in 12th position, 1:24 behind stage winner Annemiek van Vleuten. The cyclocross World Champion is still getting to know the road cycling, but this performance further proves how much potential the Dutch cyclist wields.

"The girls rode like a team today. They were always well positioned in the peloton, so Fem and Noemi were perfectly dropped at the foot of the Passo della Colla. Fem rode an excellent climb. Since this is her first major tour, we purposefully didn't place too much stress on her shoulders. I am delighted with her performance," sports director Carmen Small said about the stage.

Sunday's flat stage will provide opportunities for the sprinters. "We're looking forward to tomorrow's stage. We have a decent chance of winning the stage with Marianne," Small added.