Both of Britain's road race national champions are currently leading a classification in a major stage race after Emma Pooley moved into the lead in the mountains classification of the Giro Donne in Italy.
Pooley joins British men's champion Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) in topping a classification of a major stage race. Thomas currently leads the best young rider classification at the Tour de France.
Cervelo rider Pooley took the mountains jersey after the 117km stage six of the 2010 Giro Donne from Gallarate to Arcisate, where she placed 12th behind stage winner and new overall leader Marianne Vos (Netherlands).
Vos was part of a 30-rider group that broke away during the day's action. This large group then splintered on the final descent, with Vos and Judith Arndt (HTC-Columbia) in the lead group. Pooley was part of a third group but could not catch Vos and Arndt.
Vos leads Arndt in the overall classification by 25 seconds. Pooley is currently sixth overall, one minute and 42 seconds adrift of Vos.
The riders hit the mountains on Friday and Saturday's stages, giving Pooley a chance to claw back some time on her rivals and cement her lead in the mountains classification.
The 10-stage Giro Donne concludes on Sunday, July 11, in Monza.
Pooley is having a stellar season, having won the Tour de l'Aude stage race, the women's Fleche Wallonne, Grand Prix Suisse, Grand Prix Elsy Jacobs, Giro del Trentino overall and the British road race national championships.
Related links
Pooley wins Tour de l'Aude overall
Emma Pooley: Rider Profile
Thomas happy with Tour's white jersey
