Giro Women, Anna Van der Breggen in pink after five years: Elisa Balsamo loses over 9' in the time trial

The Giro Women 2026 has a new mistress: after the fourth stage, a 12.7-km time trial from Belluno to Nevegal, Anna van der Breggen (Team SD Worx-Protime) in fact conquered the pink jersey by winning the stage as well, with a time of 31’38” and an advantage over the second classified Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) of 1’04”. Ousted therefore Elisa Balsamo, leader of the classification for three days, who in the time trial suffered a gap of 9’14” (for her, however, remains the red jersey of leader of the points classification).

Van der Breggen thus returns to wear the pink jersey for the first time since 2021, the year she won her fourth Giro Women after those of 2015, 2017 and 2020: “It’s wonderful to be back in the pink jersey,” she told the organization’s official channels. “It was an excellent performance, and it’s what I’ve always worked for since I started racing. We are only at the beginning of the Giro, there are a lot of climbs in the coming days, however, this is a nice advantage over the rivals.”

In the general classification Anna van der Breggen has 1’04” on Reusser and 1’10” on compatriot Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez). The first of the Italians is Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco), fifth at 1’31”. In the Top 10, more precisely in eighth place, is Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ), with a delay of 1’51” from the pink jersey.

Wednesday the balance of the general classification could change further in the fifth stage, which will take the peloton from Longarone to Santo Stefano di Cadore: of the 146 total kilometers, a good 24.2 are uphill and even if from the last GPM to the finish there will be 12 kilometers missing, it is not impossible that there will be a significant selection capable of changing the positions of the classification.