Marianne Vos snatches Women's Tour lead as Wiggle-High5 claim stage honours
Vos sneaked into the yellow jersey thanks to intermediate bonus seconds, but could only finish third on the stage as Amy Pieters sprinted to victory from a reduced group
Wiggle-High5 gained a real boost to their morale by winning today’s stage two of the Aviva Women’s Tour in Stratford-Upon-Avon on Thursday afternoon. Dutchwoman Amy Pieters took a close sprint finish ahead of last year’s race winner Lisa Brennauer (Canyon-Sram).
Pieters, whose first win this was since joining the British registered team this year, was one of a group of 27 riders who entered the Warwickshire town more than a minute ahead of the main peloton, which had split over the final 30km of a tough course.
>>> Pro Bike: Lizzie Armitstead’s Specialized Amira
The stage began in Atherstone, in the north of the county and had been fairly benign with only Alé-Cipollini’s Swedish rider Emilia Fahlin animating the race, escaping in two solo breaks in the opening 70km.
The second of those excursions was brought to heel on the first classified climb of the day at Burton Dassett, which dragged on well past the mountains classification banner and saw the leading teams take control.
After the technical descent there followed a series of shorter, unclassified climbs with ramps in excess of 12%, each of which served to split the group, only for it to reform on the descent.
Watch: Canyon-Sram team bike
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Prior to the final classified climb double junior world champion Amalie Dideriksen (Boels-Dolmans) and Polish Malgorzata Jasinska (Alé-Cipollini) escaped the peloton, building a lead of up to 42 seconds.
Dideriksen’s presence off the front allowed her teammates to hide in the peloton to defend the lead of yellow jersey wearer Christine Majerus. However the escape was short lived, the climb of Campden Hill being the decisive moment of the stage.
Here the peloton split conclusively and a group of top riders, including five from both Wiggle-High5 and Boels-Dolmans, went clear and were left to compete for the win.
“It was a hard day,” Pieters told Cycling Weekly at the finish. “There were some steep, hard hills and we did a really good job with the team. We have such a strong team here this week and we can play a lot of cards and I’m happy that I could finish it today.”
The team have suffered disruption recently with the departure of directeur sportif Egon van Kessel, though Pieters said this had not added any pressure.
“It was the decision of the team and the riders are here to win races and do the best all year. It was a decision of Rochelle [Gilmore team owner] and Egon. We are so strong as a team with tactics and she [Gilmore] always wants to win. This victory has been coming for the team.”
Wednesday's stage one winner Majerus finished the day in fifth place, losing the leader’s jersey to third placed Marianne Vos (Rabo-Liv), who boosted her standing by picking up bonus seconds in the intermediate sprints.
The Dutch multiple world champion now leads the race by three seconds from Majerus.
Friday’s third stage is only 109km but is the toughest of the race, with over 2,000 metres of climbing through the Derbyshire Peak District between Ashbourne and Chesterfield.
Result
Aviva Women’s Tour 2016 stage two, Atherstone - Stratford-Upon-Avon
1. Amy Pieters (Ned) Wiggle High5, in 3-36-55
2. Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Canyon-SRAM
3. Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabo-Liv
4. Gracie Elvin (Aus) Orica-AIS
5. Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels-Dolmans
6. Emma Johansson (Swe) Wiggle-High5
7. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle-High5
8. Floortje Mackaij (Ned) Liv-Plantur
9. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Liv-Plantur
10. Anna van der Breggen (Ned) Rabo-Liv, all same time
Overall classification after stage two
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabo-Liv, in 7-01-26
2. Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels-Dolmans, at 3s
3. Amy Pieters (Ned) Wiggle High5, at 7s
4. Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Canyon-SRAM, at 11s
5. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle-High5, at 13s
6. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Liv-Plantur, st
7. Gracie Elvin (Aus) Orica-AIS, at 14s
8. Lizzie Armitstead (GBr) Boels-Dolmans, at 16s
9. Floortje Mackaij (Ned) Liv-Plantur, at 17s
10. Emma Johansson (Swe) Wiggle-High5, st
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, covering professional cycling and specialising in women's road racing. He has followed races such as the Women's Tour and Giro d'Italia Donne, live-tweeting from Women's WorldTour events as well as providing race reports, interviews, analysis and news stories. He has also worked for race teams, to provide post race reports and communications.
-
‘I am in love with Unbound Gravel’ - new documentary celebrates three unsung and behind-the-scenes heroes of race
Shimano's new documentary 'Unsung' shares the stories of three "behind-the-scenes" people who make Unbound Gravel happen each year: a sports photographer, a bike mechanic, and an event organizer.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
'One of the boys thinks I’ll be walking about in armour': Mark Cavendish knighted in ceremony at Windsor Castle
Manxman says he was “nervous” after being made a Knight Commander by Prince William
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Shortened Tour of Britain Women added to UCI's 2024 calendar
Four-day event added to calendar in spot previously held by the Women’s Tour
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Lizzie Deignan: 'It’s a shame someone can’t see the value of the Women’s Tour'
The Women’s Tour’s only double winner expresses her disappointment after the cancellation of the 2023 race
By Owen Rogers Published
-
Women’s Tour axed for 2023 due to lack of cash
Long term future of the standard setting British race remains uncertain after fruitless search for financial backing
By Owen Rogers Published
-
Women’s Tour fundraising campaign receives public backing from Alastair Campbell
Tony Blair's former comms director highlights major role played by race in growth of women’s cycling
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Three weeks to save the Women’s Tour as organiser launches crowdfunding campaign
Race is looking for £100,000 to fill funding hole
By Vern Pitt Published
-
Women’s Tour down to five stages as organiser makes plea for sponsors
Race organiser SweetSpot says event "urgently requires additional commercial income"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tour of Britain set for Welsh climax in 2023
Race organisers announce partnership for the national tour and Women’s Tour to visit the Principality until 2026
By Owen Rogers Last updated
-
Despite giving up sprinting for signs third place earns Longo Borghini Women’s Tour victory
The Italian champion finished third in the bunch sprint in Oxford earning enough bonus seconds to take the overall
By Owen Rogers Published