Stage 2 – 2014 FriendsLife Women’s Tour

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Brave  & agressive Rossella Ratto wins in Bedford to take Friends Life Women’s Tour lead on a wet day for the international field

Live Photos  (thanks to Adrian Elwood for carrying me on his moto – could not get the pics with out him!)

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Stage 2 – 2014 FriendsLife Women’s Tour

Report

Italian Rossella Ratto outsprinted compatriot Susanna Zorzi on Bedford’s Embankment to win the second stage of the Friends Life Women’s Tour, jumping into the lead of the race following her victory.

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Italian Rossella Ratto was in a talkative mood at the press conference after two days of going on the attack.

The Italian duo out foxed the sprinters into Bedford, holding off the Marianne Vos led bunch by six seconds to remain clear after Ratto had broken clear after 65-kilometres of racing.

Having instigated the move heading towards the second Strava Queen of the Mountains at Brixworth, Ratto was later joined by Zorzi, building a gap of two minutes approaching 20-kilometres to go.

With Lizzie Armitstead’s Boels Dolmans taking up the chase the deficit was halved, but Ratto and Zorzi remained clear, although only just with the peloton in sight behind the duo on the 400-metre long finishing straight.

Having outsprinted Zorzi, Estado de Mexico Faren rider Ratto said afterwards; “I originally attacked to get the points for the Queen of the Mountains but I continued because I felt good – I am training for the time-trial at present – so I thought why not? I was on the point of giving up when Susanna came across to me from the peloton. Two is always better than one so we started to ride hard again. The gap started going up and we thought maybe we could do it.”

“I was still afraid the peloton would get back to us in the final 4km but Suzanna, who is a good friend, helped me a lot and we were able to ride all the way to the finish it was a dream.”

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Italian Rossella Ratto beats her close friend and rival  Susanna Zorzi ina  wet sprint in Bedford

Behind the Italians Vos led home compatriot Amy Pieters and Lucy Garner, followed by Giorgia Bronzini and Lizzie Armitstead.

“We almost caught Rossella but not quite,” said Armitstead afterwards. “From our point of view it was really our team’s responsibility to lead the chase, we didn’t have the yellow jersey to defend and possibly GreenEdge made a slight mistake.

“In terms of the GC we are still in the hunt if the stages are challenging enough but realistically we need some wins to make it more interesting. I’ve been going for all the intermediate sprints so far, I have been in stage races before when it comes down to second so if it does get close on Sunday I don’t want to look back on any lost opportunity.”

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After World Champion Marianne Vos opened up the sprint from a long way out, Lizzie Armitstead opened up the taps to win the bonus seconds on offer.

Armitstead moves up to fifth overall and pulls on the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Best British Rider jersey, while Ratto added the Matrix Fitness Best Young Rider jersey to her Bedfordshire haul.

In the Friends Life Overall Classification Ratto now leads Zorzi by five seconds, with Vos, who leads the YodelDirect Points Classification a further second in arrears. Day One winner Emma Johansson drops to fourth overall, having come home eleventh, with Hannah Barnes and Lucy Garner joining Armitstead as Brits in the top ten.

UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling’s Sharon Laws retains the Strava Queen of the Mountains jersey after enjoying a competitive battle with Switzerland’s mountain bike champion Jolanda Neff, that saw the two competing for the points available at each of the day’s two Strava climbs.

Friday sees the Friends Life Women’s Tour head to Suffolk and Tendring, for Stage Three from Felixstowe to Clacton. Highlights of Stage Two are on ITV4 in the UK at 9pm this evening, with a repeat on Friday morning at 8am.

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A wet start in Hinkley …. thank goodness I had the waterproof camera to test for the first time… it passed the test!

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The sprint for third won by World Champion Marianne Vos — what a great ambassador for the sport and even better to see those rainbow stripes on British roads again.

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Great to see Jon Miles honoured for his work in promoting Women’s racing … no-one does more…

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Lucy Martin all smiles … her teammate won the stage and is now in yellow. Hard work ahead for Lucy then?

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I watched as Marianne took on Lizzie twice and Lizzie won but Marianne won the sprint for third and leads the Points GC.

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Stage winner Rossella Ratto.

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Combativity award for Susanna Zorzi

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Lizzie Armitstead all smiles on the podium in Best British rider jersey

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Lucy Garner was on home roads today and finished 5th … a great result for the young GB rider.

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Martin Eadon keeps young Jessie Walker dry on the start line

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It may have been wet but the crowds turned out again for the Friends Life Women’s Tour.

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With the rain coming down Laura Trott is all smiles. Also pictured is Hayley Jones (left) and Helen Wyman (right).

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Neutralised zone for the riders…

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Didn’t see much of the Yellow jersey today, Emma Johansson

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Jo Tindley has a go at getting away early on.

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Dani King and Helen Wyman at the front early on.

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Another shot of Laura Trott in the pouring rain …

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Hannah Barnes all wrapped in the wet

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Yes it was raining but the crowds still came out on the route of the race.

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Dani King has a go at getting a break going … it didn’t stick.

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World Champion (& Olympic) Marianne Vos shows she is human as she leads the sprint out ….

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But Lizzie Armitstead wins it 

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It may not have been a big hill but Ciara Horne still gapped the QoM leader Sharon Laws and peloton to cross the line first.

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It was a wet wet day …. washing machines will be working over time tonight (after the stage)

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The moment! Rossella Ratto attacks and no-one goes with her and she leads the race for a long time on her own.

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Orica-GreenEdge send a lone rider to the front with Jessie Walker just behind her. Ratto carried on opening up the gap though.

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Good crowds for the second QoM sprint with Sharon Laws ready to pounce.

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But she finishes third after being pipped on the line by Jolanda Neff. Ratto was first across the QoM line.

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Riders cross the Picton Causeway… in the rain

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Susanna Zorzi then attacked out of the bunch and joined Ratto who was coming back to the bunch and the two of them stayed away by six seconds ….

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Lots of big puddles for the riders to ‘avoid’ on the wet stage

Results

STAGE 2
1 RATTO Rossella Estado de México-Faren Kuota 03:02:02
2 ZORZI Susanna Astana BePink Womens Team
3 VOS Marianne Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team 00:06
4 PIETERS Amy Netherlands
5 GARNER Lucy Great Britain
6 BRONZINI Giorgia Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
7 ARMITSTEAD Elizabeth Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
8 VERHOEVEN Aurore Lointek
9 BIANNIC Aude Lointek
10 HOSKING Chloe Hitec Products
11 JOHANSSON Emma Orica – AIS
12 CECCHINI Elena Estado de México-Faren Kuota
13 WORRACK Trixi Specialized-lululemon
14 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa Hitec Products
15 NEFF Jolanda Switzerland
16 ARCHIBALD Katie Great Britain
17 MOOLMAN PASIO Ashleigh Hitec Products
18 VAN DIJK Ellen Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
19 BRENNAUER Lisa Specialized-lululemon
20 FORCHINI Ramona Switzerland
21 VILLUMSEN Linda Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
22 BARNES Hannah UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
23 KOSTER Anouska Netherlands
24 MULLENS Peta Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
25 KIRCHMAN Leah Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
26 DELZENNE Elise Specialized-lululemon
27 DE VOCHT Liesbet Lotto Belisol Ladies
28 VAN VLEUTEN Annemiek Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
29 GONZáLEZ BLANCO Lucía Lointek
30 PIJNENBORG Mascha Netherlands
31 ELVIN Gracie Orica – AIS
32 KING Danielle Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
33 ARZUFFI Alice Maria Astana BePink Womens Team
34 RAMSDEN Denise Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
35 LOWTHER Melissa Matrix Racing Academy
36 INDERGRAND Linda Switzerland
37 HALL Lauren Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
38 KASPER Romy Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
39 GUNNEWIJK Loes Orica – AIS
40 BRAND Lucinda Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
41 PAWLOWSKA Katarzyna Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
42 TROTT Laura Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
43 LAWS Sharon UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
44 CROMWELL Tiffany Specialized-lululemon
45 LóPEZ MORALES Belén Lointek
46 VALSECCHI Silvia Astana BePink Womens Team
47 KNETEMANN Roxane Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
48 DAAMS Jessie Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
49 HOLCOMB Janel Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
50 GILLOW Shara Orica – AIS
51 MUCCIOLI Dalia Astana BePink Womens Team
52 SLAPPENDEL Iris Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
53 STIENEN Jutta Switzerland
54 WILCOXSON Jade Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
55 HORNE Ciara Great Britain
56 HALL Katie UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team 00:21
57 BECKER Charlotte Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling 00:31
58 WYMAN Helen Matrix Racing Academy 00:36
59 BLAAK Chantal Specialized-lululemon 00:39
60 MARTIN Lucy Estado de México-Faren Kuota
61 WINDER Ruth UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
62 JONES Hayley Great Britain
63 LUPERINI Fabiana Estado de México-Faren Kuota 00:41
64 SCANDOLARA Valentina Orica – AIS
65 LEUMANN Katrin Switzerland 00:42
66 TINDLEY Jo Matrix Racing Academy 00:46
67 HOFFMANN Chantal Lotto Belisol Ladies 00:48
68 WALKER Jessie Matrix Racing Academy 01:01
69 HILL Amy Great Britain 01:11
70 WOERING Henriette Netherlands
71 SCHWEIZER Doris Astana BePink Womens Team 01:13
72 POOLEY Emma Lotto Belisol Ladies
73 ROWSON Penny Matrix Racing Academy 01:33
74 BAUR Caroline Switzerland
75 FERNANDES SOUZA Uenia Estado de México-Faren Kuota
76 RIBEROT Fanny Lointek
77 KNAUER Anna Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
78 GUTIéRREZ RUIZ Sheyla Lointek
79 EDMONDSON Annette Orica – AIS 01:36
80 TROTT Emma Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
81 THORSEN Thea Hitec Products
82 VAN DER MEER Janine Netherlands 00:06
83 HIGGINS Cari UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team 02:52
84 YÉPEZ Erika Estado de México-Faren Kuota
85 TAMAYO Lauren UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team 03:33
86 KAY Emily Great Britain 10:37
87 OWEN Harriet Matrix Racing Academy 13:21
88 BECKERS Isabelle Lotto Belisol Ladies 14:43

OVERALL
1 RATTO Rossella Estado de México-Faren Kuota 05:30:18
2 ZORZI Susanna Astana BePink Womens Team 00:05
3 VOS Marianne Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team 00:06
4 JOHANSSON Emma Orica – AIS 00:07
5 ARMITSTEAD Elizabeth Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team 00:14
6 BARNES Hannah UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team 00:15
7 VAN DIJK Ellen Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team 00:16
8 DELZENNE Elise Specialized-lululemon
9 VALSECCHI Silvia Astana BePink Womens Team
10 GARNER Lucy Great Britain 00:19
11 BRONZINI Giorgia Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
12 PIETERS Amy Netherlands
13 WORRACK Trixi Specialized-lululemon
14 CECCHINI Elena Estado de México-Faren Kuota
15 VERHOEVEN Aurore Lointek
16 BIANNIC Aude Lointek
17 HOSKING Chloe Hitec Products
18 NEFF Jolanda Switzerland
19 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa Hitec Products
20 KIRCHMAN Leah Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
21 BRENNAUER Lisa Specialized-lululemon
22 DE VOCHT Liesbet Lotto Belisol Ladies
23 HALL Lauren Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
24 VILLUMSEN Linda Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
25 PIJNENBORG Mascha Netherlands
26 MOOLMAN PASIO Ashleigh Hitec Products
27 VAN VLEUTEN Annemiek Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
28 CROMWELL Tiffany Specialized-lululemon
29 RAMSDEN Denise Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
30 KING Danielle Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
31 MULLENS Peta Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
32 ELVIN Gracie Orica – AIS
33 KOSTER Anouska Netherlands
34 FORCHINI Ramona Switzerland
35 LAWS Sharon UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
36 MUCCIOLI Dalia Astana BePink Womens Team
37 ARZUFFI Alice Maria Astana BePink Womens Team
38 HOLCOMB Janel Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
39 INDERGRAND Linda Switzerland
40 TROTT Laura Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
41 KASPER Romy Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
42 ARCHIBALD Katie Great Britain
43 PAWLOWSKA Katarzyna Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
44 GONZáLEZ BLANCO Lucía Lointek
45 GUNNEWIJK Loes Orica – AIS
46 LóPEZ MORALES Belén Lointek
47 SLAPPENDEL Iris Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
48 HORNE Ciara Great Britain
49 GILLOW Shara Orica – AIS
50 DAAMS Jessie Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
51 VAN DER MEER Janine Netherlands
52 KNETEMANN Roxane Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
53 WILCOXSON Jade Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
54 HALL Katie UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team 00:34
55 BRAND Lucinda Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team 00:43
56 BECKER Charlotte Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling 00:44
57 WYMAN Helen Matrix Racing Academy 00:49
58 MARTIN Lucy Estado de México-Faren Kuota 00:52
59 BLAAK Chantal Specialized-lululemon
60 JONES Hayley Great Britain
61 WINDER Ruth UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
62 SCANDOLARA Valentina Orica – AIS 00:54
63 LEUMANN Katrin Switzerland 00:55
64 HOFFMANN Chantal Lotto Belisol Ladies 01:01
65 WALKER Jessie Matrix Racing Academy 01:14
66 WOERING Henriette Netherlands 01:24
67 SCHWEIZER Doris Astana BePink Womens Team 01:26
68 POOLEY Emma Lotto Belisol Ladies
69 RIBEROT Fanny Lointek 01:46
70 KNAUER Anna Rabobank-Liv Woman Cycling Team
71 EDMONDSON Annette Orica – AIS 01:49
72 TROTT Emma Boels – Dolmans Cycling Team
73 STIENEN Jutta Switzerland 03:05
74 YÉPEZ Erika Estado de México-Faren Kuota
75 HIGGINS Cari UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
76 FERNANDES SOUZA Uenia Estado de México-Faren Kuota 03:37
77 LUPERINI Fabiana Estado de México-Faren Kuota 03:46
78 TAMAYO Lauren UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Women’s Team
79 TINDLEY Jo Matrix Racing Academy 04:08
80 THORSEN Thea Hitec Products 04:38
81 GUTIéRREZ RUIZ Sheyla Lointek 04:45
82 LOWTHER Melissa Matrix Racing Academy 09:03
83 HILL Amy Great Britain 10:08
84 BAUR Caroline Switzerland 10:30
85 ROWSON Penny Matrix Racing Academy
86 KAY Emily Great Britain 10:50
87 BECKERS Isabelle Lotto Belisol Ladies 23:40
88 OWEN Harriet Matrix Racing Academy 31:02:00

JERSEYS

Yellow – Rossella Ratto
Points – Marianne Vos
Queen of the Mountain – Sharon Laws
Best British – Lizzie Armitstead
Best Team – Astana Be Pink

 

 

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