33 years since the yellow jersey was last awarded to the women’s peloton at the Tour de France, today saw teams battle it out to take the coveted honor of claiming the first leader’s jersey at this year’s race – with Team DSM and Lorena Wiebes duly delivering on their favorite status.
Approaching the laps of the famous Champs Élysées circuit with a plan, the team worked brilliantly throughout the afternoon to keep fast finisher Wiebes safe. Juliette Labous, Liane Lippert and Franziska Koch rode determinedly at the head of the peloton to keep any dangerous attacks in check and with it all together heading into the finale, the team unleashed their incredible sprint train. Commanded by road captain Pfeiffer Georgi, the team held their position firm and peeled off one-by-one as the pace increased. Coming around the final corner with the finish gantry in sight, it was messy in the bunch but the team delivered Wiebes to the 200 metre to go mark where she unleashed a devastating kick. Surging all the way to the line, Wiebes was able to raise her arms aloft in jubilation, celebrating an incredible win and a special moment in history for Team DSM and Women’s cycling.
STAGE RESULT
- Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM) in 1h54’00’’
- Marianne Vos (Team Jumbo Visma), st
- Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx), st
INDIVIDUAL GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
- Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM) in 1h53’50’’
- Marianne Vos (Team Jumbo Visma), at 4’’
- Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx), at 6’’
