We reflect on a successful Tour de France Femmes
Lidl-Trek came to the Tour de France Femmes with a clear ambition: to race aggressively, take opportunities and never be afraid to put themselves on the front foot. Across nine stages, the team has lived up to that philosophy, consistently showing a willingness to attack and animate the biggest race of the season.
That mentality was on full display on stage two, when Riejanne Markus launched a daring solo move with 39 kilometers still remaining. With the peloton unwilling to give her any freedom, Markus held the advantage deep into the finale, only being caught inside the final kilometer. Her courage was rewarded with the combativity prize – a fitting recognition of a rider who was prepared to take the race on. Loes Adegeest was also awarded the combativity prize on stage eight after a similarly bold 100-kilometer breakaway on the run-in to the finish in Nice.
The team’s attacking approach has been complemented by an encouraging Tour debut from Isabella Holmgren. The 21-year-old Canadian arrived in France fresh from winning the white jersey at the Giro d’Italia Women, where she finished seventh overall, and has continued to demonstrate why she is regarded as one of the sport’s most exciting young talents.
A standout ride on the hilly fifth stage saw her break into the top-10. On the final stage to Nice, Holmgren made a promising attack from the GC group which saw her also awarded the prize for most combative rider.
Reflecting on her race, Holmgren commented:
The main goal was just to learn. It's my first Tour and I've never experienced something like this before. We have the best team and it's so nice to learn from all of the girls and have them there to support.
I think stage five is probably one of the best stages that I had, but also for the team. We had three girls in the breakaway and we were racing super aggressively. I was disappointed with Ventoux but, on that day, it was everything that I had, so I need to be happy.
It makes me really hungry, I know that the level is really really high, but I want to be there in the future so I'm definitely very motivated.
The team’s sprinter, Elisa Balsamo, also impressed in the earlier stages this week with a second place on stage two to Lausanne, once again proving she is one of the fastest finishers in the peloton.
Of course, these results would not have been possible without the support of the whole team who committed to the plan every day, exhibiting cohesion and a common understanding of a shared goal.
Sports Director Ina-Yoko Teutenberg commented after the race:
I think we came up with a plan for the Tour de France to address every stage as a one day race and we really did that. We had a lot of chances, and we were close a couple of times to winning a stage. It didn't work out, but the girls kept fighting and get into breaks and try to make a difference. We had a really positive racing spirit.
For Lidl-Trek, the Tour has been about more than results. It has been about racing with conviction, creating opportunities and giving every stage a go. With Holmgren continuing to gain valuable experience at the highest level, and the team’s trademark attacking spirit undiminished, there is plenty to be proud of as the Tour reaches its finale in Nice.
