Marianne Vos’ well-timed dash wasn’t sufficient to out-power her profitable compatriot and rival Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx) within the lengthy run-in to the end line, the place she completed second on stage 3 of the Tour de France Femmes in Montignac-Lascaux.
The Jumbo-Visma chief, who gained two phases and wore the yellow jersey for 5 days in 2022, has but to win a stage at this yr’s occasion that began on Sunday in Clermont-Ferrand, the place she completed fourth.
“It was not straightforward being there as we speak, so I used to be pleased to contest it at the least and pleased with the work,” Vos stated. “The women did an amazing job all day, have been attentive for breaks, and have been nonetheless there for the lead-out within the last. Then, in fact, you wish to attempt to give it your all.
“Lorena was the quickest as we speak. It is one thing you might be glad with at the least a attempt.”
Stage 3’s 147.2km race from Collonges-la-Rouge to Montignac-Lascaux, was nearly gained by solo breakaway rider Julie van de Velde (Fenix-Alpecin), who was caught with 300 metres to the end line largely because of the efforts of Crew dsm-firmenich as they labored for Charlotte Kool.
“At first, there was no organisation. Julie van de Velde had a very good second, and he or she was actually sturdy. As soon as there was a chase within the peloton, we gained a while again, however she did a extremely gutsy trip in the long run,” Vos stated.
“Within the final three or 4 kilometres, it appeared like we weren’t going to make it, however the velocity went up, and several other trains tried to rise up entrance, however dsm did a number of work.
“All of us tried to be within the combine, keep secure and in entrance, which wasn’t straightforward.”
Vos was down two riders in her lead-out after Eva van Agt crashed on stage 2 into Mauriac. Jumbo-Visma confirmed that Van Agt suffered a bruised lung, a concussion and a few abrasions and that she returned to the Netherlands on Tuesday to get well.
Then Coryn Labecki crashed on the roads to Montignac-Lascaux and, though she completed the stage, appeared to have ache in her knee.
Vos famous that she did obtain a lead-out from Anna Henderson, who guided her by way of the peloton and into the ultimate nook and put her in place to dash for stage 3.
“Though I instantly observed that Wiebes was passing me with extra velocity. Then you already know it is going to be troublesome. The one factor you are able to do is to maintain pedalling till the road,” Vos stated.
“On the one hand, I can replicate on a very good consequence as we speak, though you all the time go for the very best achievable. It isn’t straightforward to win a Tour stage. It stays the most important biking occasion of the season. Now it is very important get well properly from one other powerful stage. Then hopefully, we will proceed to struggle for the win.”