Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx) powered to victory in Stage 3 of the 2025 Women’s Giro d’Italia, edging out Elisa Balsamo (Liv Racing Xstra) into second place, with Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma) rounding out the podium in third. The stage, which stretched 130 kilometers across rolling terrain, culminated in a fast-paced, tactical sprint finish, where Wiebes made no mistake in sealing her second stage win of the race. The trio, each a renowned sprinter in their own right, demonstrated their prowess in a finale that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
From the start in the coastal town of Albenga, the riders faced a relatively straightforward day that promised a fast finish, and the peloton stayed largely intact as they navigated the undulating roads of the Ligurian region. The early breakaway was quickly reeled in after a series of attacks, leaving the sprinter teams to control the pace in preparation for the sprint showdown. Team SD Worx, as expected, had full control over the proceedings, with Wiebes’ teammates working hard to position her perfectly for the final kilometers.
The final 5 kilometers of the stage were crucial, with several teams vying for position and trying to stake their claim at the front. As the riders entered the final stretch, Balsamo and Vos were positioned well, but it was Wiebes who found the perfect moment to launch her sprint. With 200 meters to go, the Dutch sprinter opened up her powerful sprint, leaving the rest of the field trailing in her wake. Balsamo fought hard to close the gap but couldn’t quite catch the SD Worx rider, while Vos, known for her consistency in sprints, couldn’t match the explosive finish from Wiebes.
For Wiebes, it was a textbook display of sprinting, and the victory marked her second of the Giro, reinforcing her status as one of the best sprinters in the world. “It feels amazing to take the win today,” Wiebes said after the stage. “I knew the team had done a perfect job to set me up for the final, and I just had to finish it off. Elisa and Marianne were strong, but I had confidence in my sprint.”
Balsamo, who was a mere fraction of a second behind, expressed her satisfaction with the result despite finishing second. “Lorena is always a tough one to beat in these sprints,” she said. “But I’m happy with my performance today, and we’ll keep fighting for the stages ahead.” Vos, who finished third, echoed similar sentiments. “The team did everything right, and I gave it my all. Lorena was just too strong today. But we’ll look ahead to the next stages and take it one step at a time.”
The day was not just about the sprint finish, though. The race also featured several aggressive attacks in the closing kilometers, as riders tested each other’s legs and battled for positioning. However, the sprinter teams maintained tight control, ensuring that the finale would be decided in a fast, tactical shootout.
As the peloton crossed the finish line, the focus shifted to tomorrow’s stage, which promises more challenges in the form of a hilly route that could break up the sprint specialists. For now, however, the spotlight remained firmly on Lorena Wiebes, whose victory today marked another impressive chapter in her already stellar career. With her confidence soaring, she will undoubtedly be a favorite for future sprint stages as the race progresses.
In the general classification, there were no major changes, with the top riders keeping their positions. The overall leader’s pink jersey remains firmly on the shoulders of Mavi Garcia (Movistar), who is still a contender for the mountain stages later in the race. The battle for the points jersey, however, continues to heat up, with Wiebes likely to be a key figure in the sprint competition as the race moves towards its more challenging stages in the days ahead.
Tomorrow’s stage will provide another opportunity for the sprinters to shine, but the peloton knows that the race is far from over, with tougher climbs and tactical battles waiting in the mountains. But for now, it is Lorena Wiebes who basks in the glory of her well-deserved victory.
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