Kristen Faulkner takes a stunning solo win at the Giro Donne

Van Vleuten loses time but easily maintains a commanding lead going into Sunday’s final stage

Kristen Faulkner (BikeExchange-Jayco) wins stage nine of the 2022 Giro Donne
Kristen Faulkner (BikeExchange-Jayco) wins stage nine of the 2022 Giro Donne
(Image credit: Dario Belingheri/Getty)

Kristen Faulkner took a breakaway win for the ages winning stage nine of the Giro Donne on Saturday.

Having been in the breakaway on Friday’s stage, the American escaped the front of the race about half way up the day’s opening climb, with about 95km to go. Riding with Italian climber Gaia Realini, the BikeExchange-Jayco rider built a lead of about 3-30, dropping the Italian and riding solo for the final 26km to take her second win so far in the 10 days race.

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Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, covering professional cycling and specialising in women's road racing. He has followed races such as the Women's Tour and Giro d'Italia Donne, live-tweeting from Women's WorldTour events as well as providing race reports, interviews, analysis and news stories. He has also worked for race teams, to provide post race reports and communications.