Neben Claims Stage, Moves Into Overall Lead - 20th Giro Donne Stage 2

Americans Amber Neben and Kristin Armstrong finish 1st and 2nd in Individual Time Trial


Yesterday, Amber Neben (Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung) won Stage 2 of the 20th Giro Donne ahead of compatriot and fellow Olympian, Kristin Armstrong. With her victory in the 13.5 km Individual Time Trial from Pontedera to Santa Maria a Monte, Neben would take over the lead in the General Classification and also move past Edita Pucinkaite in the points and mountain competitions.

Unfortunately, only a small minority of Americans actually know of her, or of her recent accomplishment.

It’s unfathomable in point in history of mass communication, where unknowns can become household names instantaneously, that one of the most accomplished and decorated American cyclist is a relative unknown in her country of origin. But that is exactly the case. Neben has long been known in the cycling world as one of the best, but to those outside of it she is just as foreign as the European teams she has represented and those she has called teammate.

To her credit, Amber Neben has once again placed herself in a position to capture one of the biggest races on the women’s professional circuit. Hopefully this time, Americans will finally stand up and take notice.

Results – Stage 2
1. Amber Neben (USA) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
2. Kristin Armstrong (USA) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam

Other Notables
16. Mara Abbott (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
18. Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team
23. Meredith Miller (USA) US National Team
31. Katheryn Curi Mattis (USA) US National Team
34. Kimberly Anderson (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
39. Lauren Tamayo (USA) US National Team
42. Shelley Olds (USA) US National Team
56. Liz Hatch (USA) Team System Data
70. Megan Guarnier (USA) US National Team
76. Flavia Oliveira (Bra) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
111. Lisa Racchetto (USA) Team System Data
112. Brooke Miller (USA) US National Team

General Classification After Stage 2
1. Amber Neben (USA) Equipe Nürnberger Versicherung
2. Kristin Armstrong (USA) Cervelo TestTeam
3. Emma Pooley (GBr) Cervelo TestTeam
4. Judith Arndt (Ger) Team Columbia HTC Women
5. Noemi Cantele (Ita) Bigla Cycling Team
6. Svetlana Bubnenkova (Rus) Fenixs Edilsavino
7. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Gauss RDZ Ormu - Colnago
8. Claudia Hausler (Ger) Cervelo TestTeam
9. Nicole Brandli (Swi) Bigla Cycling Team
10. Diana Ziliute (Ltu) Safi - Pasta Zara Titanedi

Other Notables
15. Mara Abbott (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
20. Katharine Carroll (USA) US National Team
34. Kimberly Anderson (USA) Team Columbia HTC Women
40. Katheryn Curi Mattis (USA) US National Team
42. Meredith Miller (USA) US National Team
49. Lauren Tamayo (USA) US National Team
54. Flavia Oliveira (Bra) S.C. Michela Fanini Record Rox
79. Shelley Olds (USA) US National Team
90. Megan Guarnier (USA) US National Team
92. Lisa Racchetto (USA) Team System Data
93. Brooke Miller (USA) US National Team
100. Liz Hatch (USA) Team System Data

maglia rosa - Amber Neben (Equipe Nurberger)
maglia ciclamino - Amber Neben (Equipe Nurberger)
maglia verde - Amber Neben (Equipe Nurberger)
maglia bianca - Elisazabeth Armitstead (Lotto Betisol Ladies Team)

Next: Stage 3 - Calcinaia to Prato a Calci/Monte Serra (106.4km)