Alexis Ryan narrowly missed a podium place today when a 12-rider breakaway sprinted for victory on stage seven of the Giro Rosa. The CANYON//SRAM Racing rider was fourth behind winner Shayla Gutierrez (CLP) at the finish in Baronissi, Salerno.

The 22 year old American rider replays the stage:

“After the first climb attacks were going everywhere. At one point there was a really big move up the road and we didn’t have anyone in it. I panicked it would stay away so I went on the front to bring it back, and after that effort I didn’t know if I could go with another move. Then all of a sudden I’m in one with around 100km to go.”

“When our break formed I didn’t have to go hard to get in it, I just wanted to make sure we were represented. Once Elena joined, everyone was working and the gap was quickly established. At one point it was close to four minutes. We both worked to keep the move away, and then Elena and I decided we would sprint for me today after I worked for Elena yesterday.”

“Elena worked really hard in the final 25km to keep our break away because the peloton had started to chase quite hard. If it weren’t for Elena and Rosella Ratto (CLP) then our group would not have stayed away in the final kilometres and I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to sprint for the win.”

“Coming to the finish I was around fourth wheel, floating on the left side because the wind was coming from the right. It was a mistake to allow the winner to start her sprint before me but at the time I thought 300m to go was too early. Three of us were throwing at the line for second, third and fourth places.”

“It was really disappointing to finish fourth after all the hard work Elena had done for me. I’m still really happy with it because it’s the best result I’ve had in a Women’s WorldTour race: my first top ten, even my first top five. But I’m hungry for a better result than fourth.”

Tomorrow’s 141km Stage 8 from Baronissi to Centola is considered the queen stage of the Giro Rosa when it takes on the Category II climb in Cilento National Park. The stage starts at 12:15 CEST and can be followed on Twitter with #GiroRosa and #UCIWWT, along with daily highlights broadcast on Rai TV and UCI Youtube channel.