French youngster Gery claims stage seven Giro win

Gery was part of a six-rider breakaway before she sprinted to victory

Young French rider Celia Gery surged to victory on stage seven of the women's Giro d'Italia.

Lucinda Brand led round the final corner but 20-year-old Gery came off her wheel. outsprinted the Dutch rider to claim her first stage win in the Giro.

The two were part of a six-rider breakway that managed to hold off the peloton, which finished eight seconds back.

"It was a bit strange to be there but I was, so I just kept a cool head. went for it," said Gery.

Italy's Chantal Pegolo was third on the 159km stage from Sorbolo Mezzani to Salice Terme, while British riders Millie Couzens. Josie Nelson were ninth and 10th.

Dutch rider Anna van der Breggen was involved in a crash with 55km to go. recovered to retain the overall lead of the race heading into the final two stages.

Van der Breggen leads compatriot Demi Vollering by a minute, with Germany's Antonia Niedermaier one minute. 24 seconds off the lead.

The penultimate stage of the race on Saturday will be a 105km run from Rivoli to Sestriere.

It features the highest point of the race, with the riders facing the 2,180m Colle delle Finestre - scene of Giro-winning attacks by both Chris Froome. Simon Yates - before a summit finish at Sestriere.

Balsamo wins fourth consecutive Giro sprint stage

1. Celia Gery (Fra/FDJ United–Suez) 3hr 51min 13sec

2. Lucinda Brand (Ned/Lidl-Trek) Same time

3. Chantal Pegolo (Ita/Premac Vittoria)

4. Alison Jackson (Can/Auber93)

5. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita/UAE ADQ) +3sec

6 Gaia Segato (Ita/Vini Fantini Beprink) Same time

7. Lara Gillespie (Ire/UAE Team ADQ) +8sec

8. Chiara Consonni (Ita/Canyon Sram) Same time

9. Millie Couzens (GB/Fenix-Premier Tech)

10. Josie Nelson (GB/Picnic PostNL)

1. Anna van der Breggen (Ned/SD Worx–Protime) 23hr 40min 36sec

2. Demi Vollering (Ned/FDJ United–Suez) +1min

3. Antonia Niedermaier (Ger/Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) +1min 24sec

4. Isabella Holmgren (Can/Lidl-Trek) +2min 01sec

5. Marlen Reusser (Swi/Movista) +2min 03sec

6. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita/UAE ADQ) +2min 07sec

7. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZ/Lidl-Trek) +2min 33sec

8. Femke de Vries (Ned/Visma-Lease a Bike) +2min 38sec

9. Monica Trinca Colonel (Ita/Liv AlUla Jayco) +3min 21sec

10. Urska Zigart (Slo/AG Insurance-Soudal) +3min 26sec