The German cyclist Ricarda Bauernfeind celebrated her greatest career success to date at the Tour de France Femmes. The 23-year-old climbing specialist surprisingly won the fifth stage over 126.1 kilometers to Albi and ensured the second day’s victory of a German at this year’s Tour of France.
The native of Ingolstadt won with a lead of 22 seconds in front of the Swiss Marlen Reusser and Liane Lippert. “I can’t believe it. It’s unbelievable,” said Bauernfeind on TV channel Eurosport, praising the support from her team. Bauernfeind launched an attack 36 kilometers from the finish and took the lead with a lead of a minute and a half. Although the gap was reduced to 25 seconds two kilometers before the end, the strong Bauernfeind crossed the finish line confidently as a soloist.
Kopecky remains in the yellow jersey
German road cycling champion Lippert, who won stage two, stayed in eighth place overall, one place ahead of Bauernfeind. Lotte Kopecky from Belgium keeps the yellow jersey with a lead of 49 seconds. Dutch rider Lorena Wiebes, who won the third stage, had to give up the Tour because of stomach problems.
The second edition of the women’s cycle tour over eight stages ends next Sunday with an individual time trial in Pau. This Friday is mostly flat 122.1 kilometers between Albi and Blagnac. The highlight is the mountain finish on the Tourmalet on Saturday.
