"It is very nice to wear the pink again in my last Giro" - Annemiek van Vleuten takes 100th career win at the Giro d'Italia Donne

For the final time in her career, Annemiek van Vleuten is taking on the Giro d'Italia Donne and after the opening stage was cancelled due to horrific weather yesterday, the Dutchwoman took a brilliant win on stage 2.

“The Giro is also my favorite race. Wow, it's unbelievable. And also the way. I didn't know what my legs would be like because I had been on altitude training," said a delighted van Vleuten in her post-stage interview. But Livigno is where the magic happens. I charge up there and often come back really strong, but I didn't know it. I had not tested myself yet. Today was a first test and I think Livigno has done his job again.”

Van Vleuten now leads the general classification of her self-admitted favourite race, by 49 seconds ahead of second-placed Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. “There were two locations where I could attack, there were two places of one kilometre at seven percent. Those were the slightly steeper parts. But the other teams rode a solid pace, so I waited a while and didn't use the first chance," she explains. "On the second strip I did go and I was immediately alone. That surprised me a bit, especially with the strong field here.”

“This is of course my last season and therefore also my last Giro. So it is very nice to wear the pink again in my last Giro," van Vleuten concludes.