Stage 7

Stevens Scores HTC-Columbia's Fifth Stage Winn at Giro

HTC-Columbia's Evelyn Stevens rode solo for 50 kilometres to claim HTC-Columbia's fifth stage win out of a possible seven in Italy's Giro Donne on Thursday.  Stevens soloed away on the mountainous stage seven from Como to Albese Cassano and held off a chasing group, containing teammate Judith Arndt, by 42 seconds at the finish.

While Arndt moves up to second overall, US National TT Champion Stevens claimed her seventh win of the season, the 33rd of the year for the HTC-Columbia women's team.  "It was a really classy win.  She took off a long way from the finish with one very hard climb to go, and she managed to stay away," said HTC team manager Ronny Lauke.  "It was touch and go at some points. The last climb was about eight kilometres long and had sections of 12 to 14 percent, and at the summit she only had about 20 seconds on the chasers.  She did a good descent, though, and even increased her time in the last part of the course. That was impressive."

Lauke was equally pleased for Arndt,  second overall after one of the Giro Donne's toughest stages and in a position to challenge for the overall lead.  "She's less than 30 seconds behind [leader Marianne] Vos and there are still two hard days remaining. The race definitely isn't over yet."

Stage 4

Teutenberg Wins Four Straight for First Time in Career

Ina-Yoko Teutenberg scored a remarkable fourth straight win in the Giro Donne race on Monday, a victory that brings her 2010 season total to 20.  The HTC-Columbia star took the win in a bunch sprint that decided stage four of the race, a 90 kilometre run from Ficarolo to Lendarina.

"It's a very special moment.  I don't think in 30 years of racing as an amateur and professional that I've ever managed to take four wins in a row before," Teutenberg said afterwards. "We didn't think we were going to win the stage, we knew that a lot of the other teams were going to try for breaks, but they never seemed to work out."
"I remembered the finish from two years ago, and everybody went from 300 metres to go. But I came off the right wheel and was able to raise my hands before I went across the finish line. I knew I had got the win, which was nice."

Teutenberg's latest victory re-confirms her as race leader, although she is cautious about her chances in the upcoming stages. "It's a very difficult last three kilometres, and it'll be an uphill finish, so I'll have fight hard to hold onto the lead.  If it doesn't work out, I've just switch my brain into worker mode and make sure one of my teammates ends the race on Sunday as leader."

Stage 3

Teutenberg Takes Third Straight Win as HTC-Columbia Dominate  Giro Donne Time Trial

Ina-Yoko Teutenberg scored a third straight  win in the Giro Donne on Sunday, reinforcing her overall lead on a time trial stage that saw HTC-Columbia riders scoop three of the top four places.

Teutenberg finished 21 seconds ahead of Holland's Kirsten Wild in the 16.9 kilometre race against the clock, whilst her HTC-Columbia team-mates Judith Arndt and Linda Villumsen finished third and fourth respectively.

"I've taken three stages in a row in the Giro Donne before," Teutenberg said, "but I've never won two bunch sprints and then a time trial, that's pretty exciting. I was just hoping I would go out there and maybe not lose too much time, but it was a really good course for me and I had really good legs.

"As race leader I was last rider off and half-way round I heard from Ronny [Lauke, HTC-Columbia sports director] that I had the best time. I thought I could have a good second half, and when I caught [Italy's Giorgia] Bronzini in the last part, that gave me some extra motivation."

Teutenberg says that tomorrow [Monday] could see another bunch sprint, whilst on Tuesday the race "starts to hit some bumps."

"We've got three out of three stages and the lead so there's no pressure on us now, but hopefully we'll have the lead by the end of the week. The Giro's always a big target, it's one of the most important women's races out there and whatever happens it's a real honour for me to wear the maglia rosa."
 

HTC-Columbia's Ina Teutenberg sprinted to win  the first stage in the Giro Donne Friday, claiming the leader's Maglia Rosa jersey in the process.  

"It's always great to start with a victory," commented Sports Director Ronny Lauke.  "It was a short first stage, and the team is very motivated for success.  We were seeking a fast pace and Ina was on top of it.   She won by a bike length.  Everyone is very positive and confident that we will have a successful Tour."

Teutenberg's win was the sprinter's 17th victory of the 2010 season.  "Last year I won one stage here at the Giro Donne, and I feel really positive about surpassing that here this year," commented the HTC-Columbia rider.  "I'm really motivated to defend the lead tomorrow."