Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig had the last word! This Tuesday, the Dane won the third stage of this 2022 edition of the Women’s Tour de France. A rugged stage 133.6 kilometers long and run between Reims and Epernay. In the sprint, the rider from the FDJ Suez Futuroscope team beat the Dutch Marianne Vos (Jumbo-Visma), who keeps her yellow leader’s jersey, and the South African Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (SD Worx).
The previous day’s stage did some damage. Caught in falls, Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance-NXTG) and Amanda Spratt (BikeExchange-Jayco) did not start and the peloton was then made up of only 136 elements. As usual, the first attacks were not long in coming.
Tour de France Women
The summary of the 3rd stage: Ludwig puts the FDJ Suez Futuroscope upright in Epernay
AN HOUR AGO
Marianne Vos, though wearing the yellow jersey, even tried to leave, but the peloton wouldn’t let her. This very quick start to the race also saw this famous peloton split in two, before it reformed in the first difficulty of the day, the Côte de Trépail, classified in the fourth category, whose ascent is long 1.1 kilometers at an average gradient of 4.8%.
Amialiusik only had a minute lead in the lead
At kilometer 35, the French Pauline Allin (Arkéa-Samsic) tried her luck, but was joined five terminals later by the wearer of the polka dot jersey Femke Markus (Parkhotel Valkenburg). The two women were then picked up 74 kilometers from the finish. The peloton then started rolling together.
It was still there at the start of the second difficulty of the day, the Côte de Vertus, classified in the fourth category. A long ascent of 800 meters with an average gradient of 7%. In the descent, new riders tried to leave, like the French champion Audrey Cordon-Ragot, but without success.
Ludwig: “What a comeback following that shitty day yesterday”
The peloton attacked together the third difficulty of the day, the coast of Mesnil-sur-Oger, classified in the fourth category. A long ascent of 1.6 kilometers and an average gradient of 6.7%. In the descent, 43 kilometers from the finish, it was Alena Amialiusik (Canyon//Sram Racing) who tried to leave, to take a good minute’s lead over the peloton. Before being taken up regarding sixteen kilometers from the finish, just before the start of the ultimate difficulty: the Mutigny coast, classified in third category, with an ascent of 800 meters at an average gradient of 13.9%. The favorites then found themselves at the front.
Van Vleuten was let go before returning
Marianne Vos, the yellow jersey, found herself in contact, before being dropped before the summit, following an attack by Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio. A dozen kilometers from the goal, five women were in the lead: Longo Borghini, Van Vleuten, Moolman-Pasio, Garcia and Persico. Before being joined by the yellow jersey group, regarding seven kilometers from the finish.
Mount Bernon, a final ascent, unlisted, but 1.4 kilometers long at average gradients of 4.6% with passages at 14% almost cost Van Vleuten dearly, who finally returned just following the passage under the red flame. This victory was promised to a puncher-climber. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig was therefore able to respond. A nice revenge following his setbacks the day before.
Tour de France Women
Should we be worried regarding Van Vleuten? “Yes but not completely”
2 HOURS AGO
Tour de France Women
Ludwig: “What a comeback following that shitty day yesterday”
2 HOURS AGO
