Ina Teutenberg (HTC-Highroad) won the road section of the split fourth stage of the Giro della Toscana, between Quarrata and Campi Bisenzio in another bunch sprint. The German champion was fastest to the line once more, to take her second stage of the race far, beating former Italian champion Monia Baccaille (MCipollini-Giambenini) into second place. World champion Giorgia Bronzini (Colvita-Forno d’Asolo) finished in a close third place.
Although Teutenberg’s second stage win of the race continues HTC-Highroad’s perfect record so far, it was not all good news for the team. Stage three winner, and race leader, Judith Arndt lost more than a minute after a late mechanical and conceded the pink jersey to Tibco-to the Top rider Megan Guarnier (United States).
The 67.3km half stage was ridden at a high pace, giving breakaways little chance of staying away. Valentina Bastianelli (Vaiano-Solaristech), Elena Berlato (Top Girls-Fassa Bortolo) and Karin Aune (Michela Fanini-Record-Rox) escaped shortly before the start, but were reeled in with 25km to go. There followed individual attacks from Michela Fanini-Record-Rox riders Sara Grifi and Martina Ruzickova in the closing kilometres, but neither was able to get more than a few seconds clear.
On the outskirts of Campi Bisenzio, Arndt suffered her mechanical and with the speed of the peloton was unable to rejoin. With 500 metres to go Teutenberg opened up her sprint with Baccaille and Bronzini on her wheel, and that was they way they crossed the line, with the two Italians unable to come past.
"After the crash in Holland, this sprint was important for me,” said Baccaille at the finish. “I needed confirm my physical condition, and this second place is perfect.
“Now we will try to do something good in the general classification with Tatiana [Guderzo]” the former Italian champion added. “We will work for her in the coming days."
Result stage 4a
1. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC-Highroad
2. Monia Baccaille (Ita) MCipollini-Giambenini
3. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Colavita-Forno d’Asolo
4. Elizabeth Armistead (GBr) Garmin-Cervélo
5. Marta Bastianelli (Ita) MCipollini-Giambenini
6. Marta Tagliaferro (Ita) MCipollini-Giambenini
7. Annalisa Cucinotta (Ita) Kleo Ladies Team
8. Belinda Goss (Aus) Australian National Team
9. Julia Martisova (Rus) Gauss-RDZ-Ormu
10. Valentina Scandolara (Ita) Gauss-RDZ-Ormu
Standings after stage 4a
1. Megan Guarnier (USA) United States National Team
2. Claudia Häusler (Ger) Diadora-Pasta Zara @ 7s
3. Rasa Leleivyte (Ltu) Vaiano-Solaristech @ 10s
4. Sylwia Kapusta (Pol) Gauss-RDZ-Ormu @ 13s
5. Tatiana Antoshina (Ita) Gauss-RDZ-Ormu @ 34s
6. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) MCipollini-Giambenini
7. Judith Arndt (Ger) HTC-Highroad @ 35s