‘I raced with my coronary heart’ – Annemiek van Vleuten defeated on Col du Tourmalet
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Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) ignited the Queen Stage with the primary surge over the Col d’Aspin, drawing out her principal rival Demi Vollering (SD Worx), however because the race progressed, she struggled to maintain tempo and was finally distanced after which defeated on the summit of the Col du Tourmalet.
Vollering reached the end line of the long-lasting ascent with a commanding stage 7 victory and moved into the yellow jersey, whereas Van Vleuten completed third behind Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM).
The reigning world champion is now third general at 2:28 behind Vollering, all however ending her hopes of successful a second consecutive title on the Tour de France Femmes.
“For me, the aim on the Col d’Aspin was to not assault and to drop everybody there. It was extra to do an effort, and perhaps in the long run, it was not so sensible … for my form as we speak on the Col d’Aspin, however you by no means know,” Van Vleuten stated after crossing the end line on the high of the Tourmalet.
“I at all times wish to race with my coronary heart, and also you at all times must focus in your strengths, and I used my capability and endurance. It is my manner.”
Van Vleuten got here into the stage in third general at 55 seconds behind in a single day chief Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) and 12 seconds forward of Vollering.
After a exceptional season the place had received the general titles at La Vuelta Femenina and the Giro d’Italia Donne, her intention was to defend her title on the Tour de France Femmes with the Col du Tourmalet her greatest alternative to realize time on her rivals.
Van Vleuten’s searing assault over the Col d’Aspin drew out Vollering and Newiadoma, however on the descent, Niewiadoma opened a spot and rode alone into the bottom of the Tourmalet.
Van Vleuten and Vollering appeared to play a sport of poker out on the roads, neither making the trouble to chase Niewiadoma and after an change of phrases, the pair had been caught by the subsequent choice that included Kopecky and Marlen Reusser, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance coverage-Soudal-QuickStep), and Juliette Labous (Group dsm-firmenich).
“She did not need to journey. So, I stated, ‘When you do not journey, then I additionally do not journey’. She additionally had a degree that she had two teammates behind her, so we waited for it,” Van Vleuten stated.
“It was not a lot about our cooperation. Right this moment was in regards to the Col d’Aspin and Tourmalet, and Demi Vollering was higher.”
Vollering jumped from the choose chase group and instantly opened a spot. She caught and handed Niewiadoma with 5 kilometres to go on the foggy higher slopes of the hors categorie climb and went on to take the third win for SD Worx and the yellow jersey on the Tour de France Femmes.
Van Vleuten stated she struggled to stick with the group, notably as Labous set a fast tempo and he or she crossed the road in third place 2:34 behind Vollering.
“After all, I’m dissatisfied, however I can settle for it. I did not do something mistaken. I had the absolute best preparation, so I am comfortable that I went for it on the Col d’Aspin. I raced for it like I at all times do; go arduous and focus in your energy. I used to be assured as we speak that I may win,” Van Vleuten stated.
“Ultimately, I felt just a little bit, on the Tourmalet, that I used to be… once I seemed to the others, and [Juliette] Labous was setting a excessive tempo, I believed again to the Giro, I used to be higher there. I may see in my efficiency that I did not have the perfect day.”
The Tour de France Femmes continues with the 22.6km time trial in Pau. Van Vleuten is a two-time world champion and Olympic champion within the self-discipline and can possible intention for a stage win, whereas the yellow jersey is now out of her attain.
“I’ll see. I got here right here to win the Tour de France and to not get second, third or fourth. To be sincere, it is stunning, and after successful it final 12 months, you solely need to win. It is apparent that Demi Vollering was on one other degree.”
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