Starting with loops around Gemona, the penultimate stage of this year’s Giro Rosa had a gentle introduction that lead to a tough mountain top finish on Malga Montasio. Racing alongside the Tagliamento and Fella rivers, the opening kilometres were mostly flat, with one kicker at 75 km. From there, the road steadily began to rise as the peloton made its way to the base of the final climb – a 13 km category 1 GPM. The tough uphill finish provided another opportunity for the GC contenders to battle it out, and with a flatter stage tomorrow, it was quite possibly the last.
The peloton make their way through Gemona during Stage 9 of 2019 Giro Rosa Iccrea, a 125.5 km road race from Gemona to Chiusaforte, Italy on July 13, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Trek Segafredo riding as a unit during Stage 9 of 2019 Giro Rosa Iccrea, a 125.5 km road race from Gemona to Chiusaforte, Italy on July 13, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Elisa Longo Borghini speeds up the final climb during Stage 9 of 2019 Giro Rosa Iccrea. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Anna van der Breggen (NED) wins Stage 9 of 2019 Giro Rosa Iccrea, a 125.5 km road race from Gemona to Chiusaforte, Italy on July 13, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Top three on the stage, Anna van der Breggen (NED), Annemiek van Vleuten (NED) and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (RSA) on Stage 9 of 2019 Giro Rosa Iccrea, a 125.5 km road race from Gemona to Chiusaforte, Italy on July 13, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) retains the best Italian rider jersey during Stage 9 of 2019 Giro Rosa Iccrea, a 125.5 km road race from Gemona to Chiusaforte, Italy on July 13, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Annemiek van Vleuten (NED) retains the pink jersey on Stage 9 of 2019 Giro Rosa Iccrea, a 125.5 km road race from Gemona to Chiusaforte, Italy on July 13, 2019. Photo by Sean Robinson/velofocus.com
Length: 125.5 km / 78 miles
Start: Gemona
Finish: Malga Montasio
Fact of the day: Today's stage will see the peloton pass by the Fort of Osoppo. A national monument since 1923, the Fort dates back to the middle ages and was an integral part of the Venetian's defence of the Austrian border.