177.1km awaited the peloton of the Tour de France Women with Zwift today, for the longest stage of cru 2023, between Cahors and Rodez. The expected scenario of a long breakaway and a tough race over the final third of the course took shape on the first climb of the stage, the Col de Crayssac, shortly before the 15th kilometre of the race.
14 units then broke away from the pack to form the day’s coup. The FDJ-SUEZ cyclists, in particular Grace Brown, tried to catch up with this group, but unfortunately they were unable to do so in the face of a peloton that was under pressure and particularly attentive. After more than 150km in the lead and with a lead of up to 10 minutes over the peloton, Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Deceunick) won in style in Rodez, 1’11 ahead of the contenders for the overall classification.
Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, well placed by her team-mates at the foot of the last climb of the day, the Côte de Lavernhe, finished the stage 60 seconds behind Demi Vollering.
The Danish is 10th overall this evening, 1’49 behind the yellow jersey, Lotte Kopecky, and around 1 minute behind Demi Vollering and Annemiek Van Vleuten. Evita Muzic remained in 14th place overall.
© Thibaut Mongis
