Americans have led the Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile after all but the prologue as Mara Abbott became the third American to sit in that position after she posted the biggest win of the week on Wednesday. Abbott was 37 seconds clear at the front of the pack to overcome her deficit to both Evelyn Stevens and Megan Guarnier and shoot from eight, 50 seconds back, to first. Guarnier was in a group of four that finished 37 seconds back, Guarnier in fourth. Stevens was only ninth on the day but gave up 2:02 to Abbott. Guarnier trails Abbott by just 10 seconds and is in second while Stevens is now 1:22 back in sixth.

No other Americans managed a top-50 finish on the day though Kristabel Doebel-Hickok (51st), Alexis Ryan (65th), Amber Neben (83rd), and Scotti Lechuga (92nd) all had top 100 days. Doebel-Hickok is still 32nd overall but now 16:56 back while Ryan (72nd) and Neben (73rd) both remain in the top 100.

Thursday will be a 73.7 mile stage. There will be regular stages all of the remaining days except for an individual time trial Friday. The Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile wraps up on Sunday.

Previous Giro d’Italia Internazionale Femminile Coverage:
Preview
Prologue Update
Stage 1 Update
Stage 2 Update
Stage 3 Update
Stage 4 Update