Mara Abbott seals victory at the 24th edition of the Giro Rosa

  
  


Italy (July 7, 2013) -- After riding her way into the leader's jersey during stage 5 of the 2013 Giro Rosa on Thursday, Mara Abbott (Boulder, Colo./Exergy TWENTY 16) sealed her overall victory in the Italian stage race on Sunday.

Racing for the USA Cycling National Development Program (NDP), Abbott soloed to victory during Thursday's 73.3-kilometer fifth stage. She then added more than a minute to her overall lead by winning again in Friday's stage six.  During Sunday's 16-kilometer individual time trial, Abbott only lost minimal time, finishing 2:10 off the pace of stage winner Eleonora Van Dijk (NED) to keep the number-one spot in the general classification and bring home the Maglia Rosa.
 
"I can finally say I managed to do it! Thanks goes to my team, the public and all those who believed in me," Abbott said after the podium presentations. "Now, I’ll have an ice-cream, pack my stuff and fly back home where I’ll celebrate with my family and friends. I’ll be back to the Giro to try to be the best once again and to feel the warmth of the Italian fans."
 
The 27-year-old Abbott bested Italian time trial champion Tatiana Guderzo who finished second overall, and 2009 Maglia Rosa, Claudia Hausler (GER), who finished third.

Abbott credits her success to the group effort of her USA Cycling teammates Andrea Dvorak (Crozet, Va./Exergy TWENTY16), Lauren Tamayo (Asheville, N.C./Exergy TWENTY16), Lauren Hall (Dolores, Colo./Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies), Brianna Walle (Beaverton, Ore./Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies), Ruth Winder (Lafayette, Calif./Vanderkitten), Kristin McGrath (Boise, Idaho/Exergy TWENTY16) and Janel Holcomb (San Diego, Calif./Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies).

"Today was a wonderful way to finish off a great team event with taking home a pink jersey," said U.S. Team Director Jack Seehafer. "All the ladies rose to the occasion and executed their jobs in a professional manner. For myself this is very exciting to see, and builds great momentum for the rest of the season."
 
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2013 GIRO ROSA - FULL RESULTS

STAGE 8 RESULTS
1 Eleonora Van Dijk (Ned) Specialized-Lululemon                               
2 Evelyn Stevens (USA) Specialized-Lululemon                  
3 Shara Gillow (Aus) Orica-AIS
6. Tayler Wiles (USA) Specialized-Lululemon
10 Carmen Small (USA) Specialized-Lululemon
14 Kristin Mcgrath (USA) USA National Team
19 Shelley Olds (USA) Team Tibco To The Top
23 Megan Guarnier (USA) Rabo Woman Cycling Team
38 Mara Abbott (USA) USA National Team
45 Ally Stacher (USA) Specialized-Lululemon
58 Lauren Tamayo (USA) USA National Team
69 Ruth Winder (USA) USA National Team
85 Lauren Stephens (USA) Team Tibco To The Top           
86 Andrea Dvorak (USA) USA National Team
94 Brianna Walle (USA) USA National Team
107 Lauren Hall (USA) USA National Team
 
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 Mara Abbott (USA) USA National Team                               
2 Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) MCipollini Giordana          
3 Claudia Häusler (Ger) Team Tibco To The Top  
5 Evelyn Stevens (USA) Specialized-Lululemon
15 Megan Guarnier (USA) Rabo Woman Cycling Team
47 Lauren Stephens (USA) Team Tibco To The Top
49 Andrea Dvorak (USA) USA National Team
73 Kristin Mcgrath (USA) USA National Team
78 Carmen Small (USA) Specialized-Lululemon
80 Shelley Olds (USA) Team Tibco To The Top
94 Lauren Hall (USA) USA National Team                               
95 Tayler Wiles (USA) Specialized-Lululemon
97 Brianna Walle (USA) USA National Team
101 Lauren Tamayo (USA) USA National Team                     
102 Ruth Winder (USA) USA National Team
113 Ally Stacher (USA) Specialized-Lululemon
116 Janel Holcomb (USA) USA National Team
 
JERSEY
PINK Derma Fresh, General Classification: Abbott Mara
CICLAMINO Selle Italia, Points Classification: Vos Marianne  
GREEN Saugella, KOM Classification: Abbott Mara
WHITE Algida, Young Classification: Cauz Francesca
BLUE Dama, Italian Classification: Guderzo Tatiana


This Article Updated July 7, 2013 @ 07:44 PM For more information contact: