Columbia claims Italian hat trick

Team Columbia's Ina-Yoko Teutenberg has claimed her third consecutive stage victory in the Giro d'Italia Femminile, and continues to hold the event's leader's jersey. Teutenberg claimed the first and second stage victories, after posting a soild top 10 finish in the opening prologue.

"It feels pretty unreal to get the hat trick," said Teutenberg. "I can't believe it but I'm definitely happy about it."

Teutenberg bested Bigla's Monica Holler and Australian Rochelle Gilmore (Menikini - Selle Italia) in the bunch sprint. The bonus seconds awarded for the stage win extended Teutenberg's lead in the overall classification, where she now leads Kirsten Wild (AA-drink) by 17 seconds.

The German sprinter was clearly delighted that she continues to lead the event, however she expects that to change today. The women's Giro faces the first mountain stage today, which culminates in a category two finish atop Monte Serra

"For sure though, it will be a different story tomorrow and another girl will be in pink," said Teutenberg.

Today's stage will likely be a duel between Teutenberg's team-mate Judith Arndt and Susanne Ljungskog (Team Flexpoint). The duo are tied on time 31" behind on general classification, while last year's winner Edita Pucinskaite (Equipe Nürnberger) is only a further two seconds back.