Annemiek van Vleuten (Orica-Scott) put in a solo attack to claim La Course by Le Tour at the top of the Col d’Izoard (2,360 m) today.
A number of riders tried to go clear early on including French champion Charlotte Bravard who attacked from the start and also Rozanne Silk and Linda Villumsen. However, the Boels Dolmans team controlled the race and brought each attacker back.
Linda Villumsen (UHC) was next to go clear and was only caught 9 kilometres before the finish as the lead group split up on the slopes of the Izoard.
Van Vleuten launched the winning move with 5 kilometres to go and soloed to victory. British rider Elizabeth Deignan (Boels Dolmans Cycling Team) finished second, 43 seconds back, and took the Antargaz Combativity Award. Italian Elisa Longo Borghini finished third, 1′23″ behind the winner.
“To finish here with a victory at the Tour de France in front of so many people is amazing,” said Van Vleuten. “You know before I wasn’t really a climber, but since the Olympics in Rio that was the first time that I felt I was climbing really well and that inspired me to focus more on my climbing and when we saw the route for today’s race I knew I wanted to go for it.”
“I have to be honest I thought that maybe I attacked a bit too early, because I was also thinking about Saturday and the time trial and I knew I needed to gain some time, but you also have to think about the legs. In the end it turned out great and proved to be the right time to go.”
Ève-Marie Bøily
Hm. And not a word of this on the telecast of the Men’s TdF…