Elisa Longo Borghini finishes 9th and moves into 7th place overall at the Giro Rosa.
Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott), the defending champion of the Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile, won the 87.5-kilometer stage five and took over the maglia rosa with a dominant performance, crossing the line almost three minutes ahead of the next group containing Elisa Longo Borghini.
Longo Borghini rode a smart race up the final mountain climb and finished with a select group of eight, enough to launch her from 17th to 7th in the general classification ahead of a 12-kilometer time trial scheduled for stage six.
Elisa Longo Borghini crosses the line in 9th place.
Today was like riding uphill for 88 kilometers because there was never a moment where you could take a breath. Maybe in the downhill of Aprica, but then you had to be really focused.
Tayler Wiles in the lead group.
The roads rise above Bormio in stage 5.
During the final climb, I tried to stay with the best climbers. When (Erica) Magnaldi attacked with three kilometers to go, I just took my pace as I was sure everything would come back together. It did and I finished with the group. I know it's not the best [result] but I tried to give back to my teammates for all the work they did.
The peloton weave up the mountainside.
Elisa Longo Borghini on the final climb.
When Annemiek (van Vleuten) went everybody was like, okay, the alien has gone, now the race for the human beings begins!
A tired Audrey Cordon-Ragot gets comfort from director Giorgia Bronzini at the finish.
Elisa Longo Borghini defends the best Italian rider jersey.
Get backstage in stage 5 in the Gallery below.
Images: Jojo Harper
