Liane Lippert won Friday’s sixth stage of the Giro d’Italia. The German finished ahead of four Dutch riders after 145 kilometers between Bellaria-Igea Marina and Terre Roveresch.
Pauliena Rooijakkers came closest to the stage victory among the Dutch women. She and Lippert remained at the front from the original breakaway group, but in the end, she proved unable to trouble the German in the sprint.
Shirin van Anrooij, Silke Smulders, and Lieke Nooijen finished in third, fourth, and fifth place, respectively. Van Anrooij finished 46 seconds behind Lippert. Smulders and Nooijen followed about twenty seconds later.
The Swiss rider Marlen Reusser retained the lead in the general classification in the difficult stage, ahead of Elisa Longo Borghini from Italy and Anna van der Breggen. Rooijakkers climbed to fourth place.
The Giro peloton is heading into the final weekend. Saturday features a tough stage with the finish at the top of Monte Nerone. Sunday is the final stage, from Forli to Imola.