Sarah Gigante turns Giro Donne around with massive solo win at Monte Nerona as Longo Borghini takes race lead over Reusser

For many years Sarah Gigante has been developing as a top climber but has struggled to achieve the expected results. At the Giro d'Italia Donne the Australian rider seems to have finally reached her very best level and has proved to be the strongest climber in the race by winning today's queen stage into Monte Nerone and once again coming close to the race lead - which now belongs to Elisa Longo Borghini.

In the Appennines the peloton found a high-mountain stage and the differences in the end were great. In the final climb Gigante, who lost time in the crosswinds days before, attacked early on with 6 kilometers to go and took full advantage of the uphill terrain. She took a strong solo win with 45 seconds over Elisa Longo Borghini. But the Italian could be happy at the end of the day, finally managing to distance Marlen Reusser and taking over the race lead.

Into the final explosive stage into Imola, Longo Borghini leads the race with 22 seconds over Reusser and 1:11 minutes over Gigante.