The Finnish national champion outgunned Giorgia Broznini (Cylance Pro Cycling) and overall runner-up Marianne Vos (WaowDeals Pro Cycling) for the win in Colwyn Bay, the tour's first Welsh stage finish.
“Today there was nothing to lose,” said Lepistö. “We gave everything on the road and ended up with the victory, so I’m even more happy than yesterday [when she finished second in Worcester] . There was a strong wind; it was hectic final because no one really wanted to be in the front and use their best power.”
Rivera, the fifth different winner in the race's history, only had to finish safely in the bunch, but the Californian got away for several kilometres with teammate Lucinda Brand, Amy Pieters (Boels Dolmans), Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon SRAM) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Wiggle HIGH5). The work of WaowDeals reeled them back, protecting the GC positions of Vos and Dani Rowe.
“Being in the leader’s jersey is all about being in control, having everything cool and under control,” Rivera said of her first ever stage race win. “The girls and I did really well at that. We set a really good pace on the climbs, there were a few attacks but eventually they came back.
“I’m really proud to have taken the win, the jersey belongs to the whole team.”
