Giro Rosa: Abbott claims Mortirolo stage, takes race lead

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Two time Giro Rosa winner Mara Abbott returned to the maglia rosa, taking out a solo stage victory on stage 5. The American danced away on the Mortirolo mid-way through the stage, then fought to keep her advantage on the long downhill to the finish. Though she enjoyed a five minute advantage at one point, Abbott won the stage by only 37 seconds over Wiggle-High5 teammate Elisa Longo Borghini, with Tatiana Guderzo (Hitec) in third, due in part to a crash.

Abbott was chased for a time by Emma Pooley (Lotto Soudal Ladies), but the Briton was reeled in by the chasing group on the descent.

"It has been a crazy stage, as for its difficulty as for my troubles due to a crash in the downhill. But I'm happy to be the new Pink Jersey and this is important," Abbott said.

Abbott leads the race by 10 seconds over compatriot Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans), who leads the points classification. Longo Borghini is third at 15 seconds.

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