What A Debut!

Clara Emond’s first professional win is one she’ll never forget. On a beautiful Grand Tour stage, the EF-Oatly-Cannondale rider soloed to victory on the cobbled hills of Urbino, ahead of a powerful chase group that included a reigning World Champion. Brava, Clara…Brava.

How it unfolded -

On paper, Stage 4 of the Giro d’Italia Women had a clear script. It was supposed to stay relatively calm until the intermediate sprint in Savignano Sul Rubicone, where the bulk of the climbing begins. But clearly, no one bothered to tell Clara.

She and four other riders, Carmela Cipriani and Tota Magalhães (Bepink), Silvia Zanardi (Human Powered Health), and Alice Palazzi (Top Girls Fassa Bortolo), took off early, building up a lead of more than four minutes heading into the San Marino climb.

Emond and Magalhães broke clear of their breakaway companions on that category 2 ascent and worked well together, stretching their lead until they reached the Monte Osteriaccia. On the slopes of that category 3 climb, Emond made her move, dropping Magalhães, and setting off on her solo bid for glory.

Going it alone, more than 30km from the finish, with another category 3 climb to the finish, would an audacious move for anyone. For someone riding her inaugural Grand Tour, it would seem to be either a foolhardy error, or a major statement of her confidence in her abilities. For Clara, it just seemed like the right thing to do.

“I felt good, so I just went for it,” said Emond afterwards. “I kept thinking they’d catch me, but when I hit the last bit of the climb, feeling good, with a lead, I began to believe.”

Despite a strong group of chasers, and despite having been in a breakaway in one form or another for more than 100km, the Canadian lawyer-turned-bike-racer had the power and the pace to stay away all the way to the line. She even had time to look around and savor the moment as she pedaled through the cheering crowd, crossing the line 17 seconds ahead of the chase group, winning her first-ever professional victory, and taking the Queen of the Mountains jersey at the same time.

Congratulations, Clara. With that beautiful win, you’ve etched your name into Giro history forever. Andiamo!