Ladies Thalita de Jong more firmly in the leader’s jersey in the Tour Féminin de l'Ardèche

“Four riders rode away on the last climb, after 85 kilometers. Those riders formed no danger for the general classification, so I let them escape”, race leader Thalita de Jong explained. “EF-Oatly-Cannondale wanted a bunch sprint today, so I wasn’t worried. But we didn’t really come closer to the break.”

“In the end the break stayed upfront and I won the bunch sprint for the fifth spot. I thought my sprint was over as I was very far, but the last kilometer I was positioned well again on the front row. It was quite technical towards the finish, uphill with a lot of corners. I rode a nice pace and in the end the bunch was separated, it was a nice finish for me and I’m happy with what I had left in my legs. In the GC I take 10 seconds on Marion Bunel (St Michel - Mavic - Auber93 WE), which is also good for the next days. I also keep the sprint and mountain jersey. Tomorrow is a time trial of 15 kilometers, starting flat and then we go uphill for 8 kilometers. I hope to still have some power in my legs.”