Kristen Faulkner wins queen stage of Giro d'Italia Donne

Kristen Faulkner won the ninth stage of the Giro d'Italia Donne. She was part of an early breakaway and secured the victory without much difficulty.

Thalita de Jong was the first to attack, but the Dutch rider couldn't keep up. Elisa Longo Borghini and Lucinda Brand followed her, and Kristen Faulkner shortly joined the group. At 32 kilometers from the finish, the peloton tried attacking the breakaway with Mavi García, Van Vleuten, Cavalli, García, Longo Borgini, and Niamh Fisher-Black leading the group. Cavalli increased her pace, and only Van Vleuten and García could keep up with her.

Two kilometers from the top of the Passo Daone, Faulkner had two minute lead over Cavalli and Van Vleuten. After the climb of the Passo Daone, Cavalli managed to leave behind Van Vleuten on the descent.

Faulkner secured the stage victory with one-minute lead over second-place holder Cavalli. Elisa Longo Borghini followed soon and secured bronze . It is Faulkner’s second victory in the tour, as she also won the first stage. She currently holds 10th position in GC, 18 minutes and 28 seconds behind overall leader Annemiek van Vleuten.