Stage 1 – 2014 FriendsLife Women’s Tour

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Live photos from stage 1 (Oundle to Northampton – 92.4km) of Sweetspot’s 2014 FriendsLife Women’s Tour

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Stage 1 – 2014 FriendsLife Women’s Tour

Emma Johansson Wins Stage One of Inaugural Friends Life Women’s Tour

Orica-GreenEdge Press Release
Emma Johansson scored her fourth win of the season, sprinting to victory on the opening stage of the inaugural Friends Life Women’s Tour. The Swedish all-rounder edged out World Champion Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv) in a hotly contested field sprint to pull on the yellow leader’s jersey in Northampton. Johansson will head into the second stage of the five day British tour with a 4” advantage over Vos.

“I didn’t believe it at first,” admitted Johansson. “I was on Marianne’s wheel, and when I could come around her, I thought: ‘Wow, I’m actually going to beat her in a sprint.’ Marianne has a really good sprint, so I was quite surprised. I can sprint obviously – especially when it’s been technical or hard or cold like it was today. Still, I can hardly believe it.”

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“I love it here!,” Johansson added. “I made my good memory in England today. Hopefully this is just the first one.”

Massive crowds turned out to cheer on the women’s peloton as they set off to start the Friends Life Women’s Tour. Sidewalk space was at a premium in Oundle as locals jostled for a roadside spot. The scene was goosebump-inducing.

“We’re not used to crowds like this at women’s only events,” said Johansson. “It was really amazing at the start and the finish and all the towns on the course. It seemed like every school brought the kids out to the race. I loved it.”

“We were all extremely impressed,” Sport Director Martin Barras confirmed. “The response from the public was incredible. I commented quite a few times that I felt like we were the Beatles while I was driving in the race caravan. People, especially the school groups, were jumping and cheering and waving flags as we came by, and just by responding with a toot of the horn to show our appreciation, the noise level would increase noticeably.”

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“It’s a fantastic feeling,” Barras added. “Everyone is talking about it – the riders, the staff, everyone associated with the race. We’ve all been craving this for many, many years, and it’s great to see this sort of endorsement from the local communities. We want to thank Sweet Spot and the race organisation for providing all of us with the opportunity to show that the interest in women’s cycling is real. Hopefully it paves the way for other races to follow the same mold.”

ORICA-AIS took a slightly conservative approach to the stage. Traditionally the protagonists, the Australian outfit elected to leave other teams to animate the action. Rather than throw down attacks, they would respond to any dangerous moves.

“We all sat down before the race and discussed our tactics,” said Barras. “The idea was that we would let the teams that had the pressure to perform feel that pressure. We were keen to manage the situation to alleviate any responsibility or pressure that we felt in the interest of the opportunities this would create for us later.”

“This plan worked out really well – almost too well – because Emma ended up winning the race,” said Barras. “No one is going to sit here and complain about winning a stage in a big tour like this one, but it certainly puts us in a position where we can no longer take advantage of the expectations on other teams and riders. Expectations now fall on us.”

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The first hint of action on stage one came on the opening YodelDirect Sprint. Until that point, the peloton had been unusually quiet. The bonus seconds (3”-2”-1”) on offer at each of the two daily intermediate sprints incentivized the peloton into action. Ellen van Dijk (Boels-Dolmans) won the first sprint, taking three bonus seconds, ahead of Johansson and Vos.

“I felt really good in the first intermediate sprint,” said Johansson. “It was actually a bit weird. There was a sign for one kilometre and a sign for 500 metres, and I think we all thought there would be another sign before the finish. There wasn’t, so nobody actually really sprinted. The lead-out trains were still at the front, which is why Ellen took it. She was meant to lead-out Lizzie [Armitstead] (Boels-Dolmans).”

Rossella Ratto (Estado de México-Faren Kuota) launched the first significant breakaway attempt between the initial intermediate sprint and the first Strava Queen of the Mountain. She stretched out her advantage to nearly a minute before the bunch closed the gap, overtaking her with 50 kilometres left to race.

“It was quite windy but a lot of the course was reasonably sheltered,” noted Barras. “It was also clear from the outset that most of the race would be done with a headwind, which greatly reduced the chances for breakaways and attacks. It certainly dictated the sort of tactics we saw today.”

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The peloton stayed together until they hit Althrop Estate. The narrow roads and rough pavement put the peloton under pressure. The bunch split, and Elise Delzenne (Specialized-lululemon) went on the attack. She remained up the road for the second YodelDirect Sprint, scooping up the bonus seconds for first across the line.

“Coming into the second sprint, Marianne attacked,” recalled Johansson. “She came in really early. I jumped to follow, but I lost my SRM, so I sort of lost focus for a minute, which meant that I didn’t get any seconds in that one. I actually had to dig deep just to stay with her and Lizzie. I was afraid they were going to try to ride away.”

Neither Vos nor Armitstead made a move at that point in the race. Instead, they sent their teammates to the front to chase down Delzenne, who had 45” in hand over the second QOM. Rabobank-Liv and Boels-Dolmans collaborated at the front, reeling Delzenne back just past the two kilometre to go mark.

“Coming into the final, Nettie [Edmondson] found me,” Johansson explained. “She was looking after me until Loes [Gunnewijk] came up the side and shouted at me. I jumped to her wheel. When an Astana rider attacked, Loes went after her.”

“I tried to make myself as small as possible so I took only a little wind,” Johansson added. “After the one kilometre banner, it turns right and then left. Loes cut the corner, so we were the first two through. I knew Loes couldn’t go anymore at some point, and I needed to ready for whatever would come from behind me.”

“Ellen came up on the left side,” Johansson continued. “I told Loes to go left but Ellen was a bit faster, so it was Ellen and Lizzie and then Loes and me. I came off Loes’ wheel and onto Lizzie’s wheel at the 500 metre mark.”

Armitstead was the first to open the sprint. The British National Champion jumped 450 metres from the line. Johansson stuck onto her wheel.

“I was like: ‘Whoa! That’s really early.’ because the finish was uphill and into a headwind,” Johansson explained. “I think she must have been really excited. Marianne came up and past Lizzie, so I got onto her wheel. I actually had to sit down and then stand up again. I was fighting next to her all the way to the line. “

Johansson edged out Vos for the stage win. Briton Hannah Barnes (Unitedhealthcare) rounded out the podium. The trio occupy the same top three spots on the general classification with Vos at 4” and Barnes at 8”.

“It’s really nice to see so many strong riders out there,” said Johansson. “To win bike races these days is not easy. You have to fight really hard for every win. Teams are riding really tactically and have more than one card to play. I think the peloton as a whole is stronger than it’s ever been.”

“The whole team was really good today,” said Johansson. “Everyone was present. Everyone rode next to each and communicated really well. We didn’t attack, but that wasn’t the plan. We wanted to have a crack at the intermediate sprints, which was exactly what we did.”

Photo Report

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Neutralised part of the race 

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With no attacks at zero kilometre, we kept going back and then got luck with this move by an Astana rider … it didn’t stick though.

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First Stately home Boughton and Ellen van Dijk went to the front and put the hammer down and lined the peloton out 

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First sprint and van Dijk, Vos and Johannson went head to head  with …

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… van Dijk winning from Johansson and Vos … congrats to the judges with no photo finish!

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… another solo move which the peloton let go for a while – Rossella Ratto

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First QoM and Sharon Laws showed she wanted the jersey with second behind the lone leader.

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The second QoM was a hard fought for one with Vos taking on Laws and Linda Indergand

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Vos won from Indergand and Laws

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Lizzie Armitstead was spotted near the front for a lot of the race.

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Lucy Garner sitting in the wheels and finishing the stage a dissapointed 6th after getting boxed in by Bronzini

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Laura Trott

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Hayley Jones

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Through Althorpe Estate and one of the Specialized riders went on the attack splitting the race in three.

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But the race did come back together before French girl Elise Delzenne attacked in the closing 15k and opened up a gap of 45 seconds at one point before being caught in the final few K.

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Stage winner Emma Johansson … she took the wheel of Lizzie Armitstead who opened up the sprint with 450 to go but the headwind and up hill finish took its toll and Emma switched to the wheel of Vos and the world champion opened up her sprint before Emma then made her move late and won the stage – one delighted rider!

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Brilliant result for Hannah Barnes to finish third and best British rider … that will do her confidence a lot of good!

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A very happy Sharon Laws, QoM leader.

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The crowd at the start was very very impressive!

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Vos and Armitstead lead the field out of Oundle

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Hannah Barnes and Sharon Laws talking to the press after the stage.

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Emma Pooley signs on …

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Rachel Heal gives the team talk on the United Healthcare team bus before the start

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Emma Trott leading the peloton late on to bring back the  lone leader.

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Vos and her team at the signing on 

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A very happy looking Sharon Laws at the press conference

More later …

Results
1 JOHANSSON Emma Orica – AIS 02:28:29
2 VOS Marianne Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
3 BARNES Hannah UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
4 WORRACK Trixi Specialized-lululemon
5 BRONZINI Giorgia Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
6 GARNER Lucy Great Britain
7 CECCHINI Elena Estado de México-Faren Kuota
8 ARMITSTEAD Elizabeth Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
9 PIETERS Amy Netherlands
10 CROMWELL Tiffany Specialized-lululemon
11 HALL Lauren Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
12 KIRCHMAN Leah Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
13 NEFF Jolanda Switzerland
14 VERHOEVEN Aurore Lointek
15 BIANNIC Aude Lointek
16 HOSKING Chloe Hitec Products
17 DE VOCHT Liesbet Lotto Belisol Ladies
18 WALKER Jessie Matrix Racing Academy
19 MUCCIOLI Dalia Astana BePink Womens Team
20 VAN DIJK Ellen Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
21 PIJNENBORG Mascha Netherlands
22 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa Hitec Products
23 RAMSDEN Denise Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
24 BRENNAUER Lisa Specialized-lululemon
25 VAN VLEUTEN Annemiek Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
26 HOLCOMB Janel Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
27 LAWS Sharon UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
28 VILLUMSEN Linda Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
29 KING Danielle Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
30 KAY Emily Great Britain
31 VAN DER MEER Janine Netherlands
32 LEUMANN Katrin Switzerland
33 EDMONDSON Annette Orica – AIS
34 MARTIN Lucy Estado de México-Faren Kuota
35 ELVIN Gracie Orica – AIS
36 MOOLMAN PASIO Ashleigh Hitec Products
37 BECKER Charlotte Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
38 TROTT Laura Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
39 MULLENS Peta Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
40 INDERGRAND Linda Switzerland
41 ARZUFFI Alice Maria Astana BePink Womens Team
42 PAWLOWSKA Katarzyna Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
43 KASPER Romy Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
44 KOSTER Anouska Netherlands
45 ZORZI Susanna Astana BePink Womens Team
46 SLAPPENDEL Iris Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
47 BLAAK Chantal Specialized-lululemon
48 WOERING Henriette Netherlands
49 HORNE Ciara Great Britain
50 FORCHINI Ramona Switzerland
51 LóPEZ MORALES Belén Lointek
52 SCANDOLARA Valentina Orica – AIS
53 GUNNEWIJK Loes Orica – AIS
54 RATTO Rossella Estado de México-Faren Kuota
55 GONZáLEZ BLANCO Lucía Lointek
56 DELZENNE Elise Specialized-lululemon
57 GILLOW Shara Orica – AIS
58 WYMAN Helen Matrix Racing Academy
59 RIBEROT Fanny Lointek
60 CANUEL Karol-ann Specialized-lululemon
61 HALL Katie UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
62 SCHWEIZER Doris Astana BePink Womens Team
63 KNAUER Anna Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
64 JONES Hayley Great Britain
65 DAAMS Jessie Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
66 ARCHIBALD Katie Great Britain
67 VALSECCHI Silvia Astana BePink Womens Team
68 KNETEMANN Roxane Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
69 POOLEY Emma Lotto Belisol Ladies
70 YÉPEZ Erika Estado de México-Faren Kuota
71 TAMAYO Lauren UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
72 TROTT Emma Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
73 HIGGINS Cari UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
74 WINDER Ruth UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
75 WILCOXSON Jade Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
76 HOFFMANN Chantal Lotto Belisol Ladies
77 BRAND Lucinda Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team 00:24
78 CURE Amy Lotto Belisol Ladies 01:25
79 FERNANDES SOUZA Uenia Estado de México-Faren Kuota 01:51
80 STIENEN Jutta Switzerland 02:46
81 THORSEN Thea Hitec Products 02:49
82 LUPERINI Fabiana Estado de México-Faren Kuota 02:52
83 GUTIéRREZ RUIZ Sheyla Lointek 02:59
84 TINDLEY Jo Matrix Racing Academy 03:09
85 HILL Amy Great Britain 08:44
86 BAUR Caroline Switzerland
87 LOWTHER Melissa Matrix Racing Academy
88 BECKERS Isabelle Lotto Belisol Ladies
89 ROWSON Penny Matrix Racing Academy
90 OWEN Harriet Matrix Racing Academy 17:55

OVERALL

1 JOHANSSON Emma Orica – AIS 02:28:17
2 VOS Marianne Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team 00:04
3 BARNES Hannah UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team 00:08
4 VAN DIJK Ellen Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team 00:09
5 DELZENNE Elise Specialized-lululemon
6 ARMITSTEAD Elizabeth Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team 00:10
7 WORRACK Trixi Specialized-lululemon 00:12
8 BRONZINI Giorgia Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
9 GARNER Lucy Great Britain
10 CECCHINI Elena Estado de México-Faren Kuota
11 PIETERS Amy Netherlands
12 CROMWELL Tiffany Specialized-lululemon
13 HALL Lauren Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
14 KIRCHMAN Leah Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
15 NEFF Jolanda Switzerland
16 VERHOEVEN Aurore Lointek
17 BIANNIC Aude Lointek
18 HOSKING Chloe Hitec Products
19 DE VOCHT Liesbet Lotto Belisol Ladies
20 WALKER Jessie Matrix Racing Academy
21 MUCCIOLI Dalia Astana BePink Womens Team
22 PIJNENBORG Mascha Netherlands
23 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa Hitec Products
24 RAMSDEN Denise Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
25 BRENNAUER Lisa Specialized-lululemon
26 VAN VLEUTEN Annemiek Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
27 HOLCOMB Janel Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
28 LAWS Sharon UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
29 VILLUMSEN Linda Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
30 KING Danielle Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
31 KAY Emily Great Britain
32 VAN DER MEER Janine Netherlands
33 LEUMANN Katrin Switzerland
34 EDMONDSON Annette Orica – AIS
35 MARTIN Lucy Estado de México-Faren Kuota
36 ELVIN Gracie Orica – AIS
37 MOOLMAN PASIO Ashleigh Hitec Products
38 BECKER Charlotte Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
39 TROTT Laura Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
40 MULLENS Peta Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
41 INDERGRAND Linda Switzerland
42 ARZUFFI Alice Maria Astana BePink Womens Team
43 PAWLOWSKA Katarzyna Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
44 KASPER Romy Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
45 KOSTER Anouska Netherlands
46 ZORZI Susanna Astana BePink Womens Team
47 SLAPPENDEL Iris Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
48 BLAAK Chantal Specialized-lululemon
49 WOERING Henriette Netherlands
50 HORNE Ciara Great Britain
51 FORCHINI Ramona Switzerland
52 LóPEZ MORALES Belén Lointek
53 SCANDOLARA Valentina Orica – AIS
54 GUNNEWIJK Loes Orica – AIS
55 RATTO Rossella Estado de México-Faren Kuota
56 GONZáLEZ BLANCO Lucía Lointek
57 GILLOW Shara Orica – AIS
58 WYMAN Helen Matrix Racing Academy
59 RIBEROT Fanny Lointek
60 CANUEL Karol-ann Specialized-lululemon
61 HALL Katie UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
62 SCHWEIZER Doris Astana BePink Womens Team
63 KNAUER Anna Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
64 JONES Hayley Great Britain
65 DAAMS Jessie Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
66 ARCHIBALD Katie Great Britain
67 VALSECCHI Silvia Astana BePink Womens Team
68 KNETEMANN Roxane Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
69 POOLEY Emma Lotto Belisol Ladies
70 YÉPEZ Erika Estado de México-Faren Kuota
71 TAMAYO Lauren UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
72 TROTT Emma Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
73 HIGGINS Cari UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
74 WINDER Ruth UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
75 WILCOXSON Jade Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
76 HOFFMANN Chantal Lotto Belisol Ladies
77 BRAND Lucinda Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team 00:36
78 CURE Amy Lotto Belisol Ladies 01:37
79 FERNANDES SOUZA Uenia Estado de México-Faren Kuota 02:03
80 STIENEN Jutta Switzerland 02:58
81 THORSEN Thea Hitec Products 03:01
82 LUPERINI Fabiana Estado de México-Faren Kuota 03:04
83 GUTIéRREZ RUIZ Sheyla Lointek 03:11
84 TINDLEY Jo Matrix Racing Academy 03:21
85 HILL Amy Great Britain 08:56
86 BAUR Caroline Switzerland
87 LOWTHER Melissa Matrix Racing Academy
88 BECKERS Isabelle Lotto Belisol Ladies
89 ROWSON Penny Matrix Racing Academy
90 OWEN Harriet Matrix Racing Academy 18:07

Yodel Sprints – Emma Johannsson
Strava Queen of the Sprints – Sharon Laws
Young Riders – Hannah Barnes
Best British Rider – Hannah Barnes

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