Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Stage Report: Charlotte Kool (dsm-firmenich PostNL) took an excellent win on the opening stage of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, powering to the end line in The Hague forward of her dash rivals, to safe the Yellow Jersey on dwelling territory. The Dutchwoman clearly outpaced second positioned Anniina Ahtosalo (Uno-X Mobility) to the road, with Elisa Balsamo (Lidl-Trek), Lotta Henttala (EF-Oatly-Cannondale) and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) finishing the highest 5. Kool will subsequently proudly put on the cherished Yellow Jersey tomorrow in entrance of the Dutch crowds on Stage 2, making the primary ever Grand Départ to happen exterior France much more particular for the native followers.
Stage 1 final kilometre
There have been 153 riders current on the beginning line for this third version of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, after New Zealander Kim Cadzow (EF-Oatly-Cannondale) examined constructive for Covid yesterday and her workforce determined to not exchange her.
Stage 1 profile
After a 14km neutralised begin via the streets of cycling-mad Rotterdam the actual racing commenced and the riders started their 123km route via the tulip fields and concrete areas on the roads to The Hague. There was an early assault from Agnieszka Skalniak-Sojka (Canyon//SRAM Racing), Gaia Masetti (AG Insurance coverage – Soudal Crew) and Iurani Blanco (Laboral Kutxa – Fundacion Euskadi) they usually created a 20″ hole by km 22, however had been quickly reeled again in by the bunch. Ekaterina Knebeleva of Tashkent Metropolis Girls Skilled Biking Crew sadly deserted the race after lower than 35km of racing.
Stage 1 from Rotterdam to The Hague
Cristina Tonetti (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi) discovered a gap 79 km from the end and 6 km later she had a 50″ hole over the peloton. A crash within the bunch on a bridge with simply over 70 km to go held up a number of riders, with Victoire Berteau (Cofidis Girls Crew) and Grace Brown (FDJ – SUEZ) amongst the riders concerned. Gaia Realini (Lidl – Trek) was additionally pressured to cease shortly after the crash and misplaced two minutes, chasing again after a motorcycle change. Tonetti was first to the road in the one categorised climb of the day at Maasdeltatunnel (1km at 3.1%, Cat. 4), sitting up and letting the bunch catch her after securing the 2 factors to safe the polka dot jersey, with Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco) taking one level in second place. After Knebeleva earlier, two further riders from the Tashkent Metropolis workforce deserted within the second hour of racing – Mohinabonu Elmudorova and Asal Rizaeva – with the Briton Natalie Grinczer (Roland) additionally leaving the race on the primary day.
Bunch dash in The Hague
Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) confirmed her ambitions for the inexperienced jersey as she received the intermediate dash at Groeneweg (km 85.1), forward of Roseman-Gannon, with Marthe Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck) in third. Over ultimate flat 30 km within the warmth of plus 30°C temperatures the bunch had been grouped collectively regardless of the quite a few adjustments of course on the course, with the sprinters’ groups working to maintain their star riders in place. Kool delighted the native followers in The Hague along with her good end, out-sprinting her rivals to the road, profitable by a transparent margin from Ahtosalo with Balsamo shut by in third place. A Dutch winner within the Yellow Jersey.
Stage 1 win for Charlotte Kool
Stage winner and general chief, Charlotte Kool (dsm-firmenich-PostNL): “It’s unbelievable, a dream coming true. It was not an incredible season, that is what it was all about. It was actually hectic and I prefer it! I went so early and I assumed, ‘it’s too lengthy !’ It damage so unhealthy nevertheless it was sufficient ultimately. There aren’t any phrases! That is the perfect day of my life. There are such a lot of folks right here, I noticed some household and associates within the crowd, so it’s a dream come true. Immediately I may actually get pleasure from it on the bike and go searching. I’m so proud to be a Dutchie and I’m so happy with this nation, that so many individuals got here and watched us. I believe I’ve by no means seen one thing like this on this nation earlier than with ladies’s biking. It’s a historic day. You all the time need to maintain believing. I need to thank my coach for believing in me and for pushing me to the restrict. I need to thank all my household additionally. I believe it is going to be very particular [to wear the yellow jersey tomorrow]!”
First yellow for Kool
# Because of ASO for the stage particulars. #
Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Stage 1 Outcome:
1. Charlotte Kool (Ned) dsm-firmenich-PostNL in 2:47:40
2. Anniina Ahtosalo (Fin) Uno-X Mobility
3. Elisa Balsamo (Ita) Lidl-Trek
4. Lotta Lepistö-Henttala (Fin) EF-Oatly-Cannondale
5. Marianne Vos (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike
6. Daria Pikulik (Pol) Human Powered Well being
7. Mylene De Zoete (Ned) Ceratizit-WNT
8. Kimberley Le Courtroom de Billot (Maur) AG Insurance coverage-Soudal Fast-Step
9. Emilia Fahlin (Swe) Arkéa-B&B Accommodations Girls
10. Kata Blanka Vas (Hun) SD Worx-Protime.
Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift General After Stage 1:
1. Charlotte Kool (Ned) dsm-firmenich-PostNL in 2:47:30
2. Anniina Ahtosalo (Fin) Uno-X Mobility Girls at 0:04
3. Elisa Balsamo (Ita) Lidl-Trek Girls at 0:06
4. Lotta Lepistö-Henttala (Fin) EF-Oatly-Cannondale at 0:10
5. Marianne Vos (Ned) Visma | Lease a Bike Girls
6. Daria Pikulik (Pol) Human Powered Well being
7. Mylene De Zoete (Ned) Ceratizit-WNT
8. Kimberley Le Courtroom de Billot (Maur) AG Insurance coverage-Soudal Fast-Step
9. Emilia Fahlin (Swe) Arkéa-B&B Accommodations Girls
10. Kata Blanka Vas (Hun) SD Worx-Protime.
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