Lorena Wiebes of the Netherlands lived up to expectations as she won the opening stage of the 2022 Tour de France Femmes and claim the first yellow jersey of the resurrected race on the Champs Elysees on Sunday.
The DSM rider, the pre-stage favourite, timed her sprint to perfection to beat her compatriot Marianne Vos and Belgian Lotte Kopecky, who were second and third, respectively. It is the sixteenth win of Wiebes’ 2022 season as she cements her position as the fastest sprinter in pro cycling.
“It’s incredible, the girls worked tirelessly for me. It was a very long sprint but I was expecting it as I was getting ready for Marianne Vos to go early,” said Wiebe.
“I’m so happy. We’ve had a great season so far. I managed to accelerate one last time when Marianne was next to me.”
Sunday’s 81.7km opener around the streets of the French capital was marked by the crash of Belgium’s Alana Castrique, who was taken into an ambulance on a stretcher after falling hard on her back.
Tour de France organisers ASO have granted the top female professionals an official multi-stage Tour de France 33 years after a first attempt. The 144 starters were presented to crowds in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on a course than only hours later would see the conclusion of the men’s race.
At 1330 local time, the riders rolled away for the départ fictif. After the fanfare and the rightful celebration of this inaugural, ground-breaking event, it was time to get down to racing.
Passing the River Seine, Arc de Triomphe and Jardin des Tuileries, the Paris circuit was striking. However, it is deceptively tough for bike racers. The Champs-Élysées has misshapen, bumpy cobbles that cause blisters and the gradual rise and fall stings the legs after a dozen circuits, totaling 81.6km.
2022 Tour de France des Femmes: Stage 1 Brief Results
- Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM) @ 1h 54′ 00″
- Marianne Vos (Team Jumbo-Visma) s.t
- Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx) s.t.
- Rachele Barbieri (Liv Racing Xstra) s.t.
- Emma Norsgaard (Movistar Team) s.t.
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