Unstoppable Vos: third victory in Binda Trophy

The fox hunt did not succeed. And the fox, Vos in Dutch, wins the Binda Trophy, the only Italian part of the World Cup and the second race of the season, for the third time in five years. The first race, in the Netherlands, was also won by Marianne Vos, who bolsters her place as best female cyclist in the world.

The Dutch cyclist wanted the highest step of the podium and obtained it again, despite her rivals’ efforts to outdistance her. Because of that, as an experienced champion, the Stichting-Rabobank’s team leader decided to launch a first-person attack: the effective act took place on Orino’s last slope, the harsh final part to be repeated four times. Vos immediately gained a small but reassuring margin, also because her legs allow her to keep the pace. Gemonio’s descent earned her a thirty seconds-odd advantage that Marianne kept in the last plain part, reaching Cittiglio with her hands in the air to enjoy the roaring of the many and frenzied people on the finish line.

Behind Vos, there was a group composed of all the best, and it is satisfying to see that also an Italian managed to reach the podium; not Noemi Cantele, who reached sixth place in the end because the final rush is not her thing, but the former champion Tatiana Guderzo, who skilfully gained some metres in the final stages, and beat the German cyclist Worrack. Therefore, also the MCipollini team, whose line-up is composed only of Italians and in which there is also the other cyclist from Varese, Valentina Carretta, who remained in the lead group for a long time, can celebrate. Going on with the final placements, there were other big names such as Arndt from Germany, Johansson (another great favourite) from Sweden, and, as we had previously mentioned, the home idol, Cantele, who honoured the Italian jersey with a great performance, despite the fact that the Binda Trophy is not appropriate for her characteristics. Team BePink’s cyclist from Varese, in fact, was always active in the lead group and her contribution was fundamental in stopping a precedent attempt by Vos, during the second-to-last lap when there was another Dutch cyclist outdistancing everyone, the surprising Loes Gunnewijk (GreenEdge), who managed to leave behind everyone and gain more than a minute of advantage. When she decreased her pace, then, Vos started a first rush in Orino, to which the other great favourite Emma Pooley was not able to respond immediately; but Noemi tailed her and managed to keep her at bay with difficulty. At that point, the race fired up as it had never done; 11 cyclists were in front, then the group kept breaking up and reforming, and the last ”multiple” attempt was made by foursome Ferrand Prevot, Gunnewijk, Johannson and Armstrong. It was not enough, and the best cyclist gathered up again at around 10 kilometres, and at that point the ”fox” went away, leaving to the huntresses the mere fight for second place.

THE INTERVIEWS

Binda Trophy – World Cup

Cittiglio; 132 km – Started: 164; arrived: 74

1) Marianne VOS

(Hol – Stichting-Rabo) in 3h16’28” (media 40,312); 2) Tatiana Guderzo (Ita – MCipollini) at 34”; 3) Trixi Worrack (Ger – Specialized) st; 4) Judith Arndt (Ger – Greenedge) st; 5) Emma Johansson (Swe – Hitech); 6) Noemi Cantele (Ita – BePink); 7) Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra – Stichting-Rabo); 8) Emma Pooley (UK – AA Drink); 9) Karol-Ann Canuel (Can – Vienne); 10) Ashleigh Moolman (Rsa – Lotto); 53) Valentina Carretta (Ita – MCipollini) at 2’17”.