"On the last descent I took too many risks" - Annemiek van Vleuten reacts to dramatic stage 5 conclusion at the Giro d'Italia Donne

The final 20km of stage 5 at the 2023 Giro d'Italia Donne was something of a rollercoaster ride for Annemiek van Vleuten. After all was said and done though, the Movistar Team leader had increased her lead in the general classification.

“It was such a tough day. I have the pink more firmly around my shoulders, so I think we can say that we have achieved our goal," a satisfied van Vleuten declared in her post-stage interview. "In the end I was also able to fight for the stage victory, which was a very exciting battle. That's what we want, such a battle in women's cycling."

It wasn't all easy for van Vleuten however. As she pressed on the final descent the Dutchwoman crashed, as did one of her main GC rivals, Elisa Longo Borghini. "On the last descent I took too many risks, but the most important thing was that I took time," she clarifies. "In the beginning I started with the attack, so that I could descend a bit more slowly. Only Gaia Realini was able to follow at that moment, but in the end I took time on everyone. So it's a perfect day, I think."