Dutch powerhouse Lorena Wiebes delivered a masterclass in sprinting as she claimed victory in Stage 3 of the Tour de France Femmes. The SD Worx-Protime rider surged ahead in the final stretch, leaving her competitors trailing in her wake.
A Tactical Triumph
Wiebes timed her attack to perfection, biding her time before unleashing her explosive sprint in the closing kilometres. The 25-year-old demonstrated why she's considered one of the most formidable sprinters in women's cycling, adding another prestigious win to her growing palmarès.
Race Highlights
- Wiebes overtook breakaway rider Gladys Verhulst in the final 500m
- The Dutch champion reached speeds of 60km/h in her winning sprint
- This marks Wiebes' second stage win in Tour de France Femmes history
The peloton faced challenging conditions throughout the 147km route from Dartford to Canterbury, with crosswinds testing riders' endurance. However, Wiebes' team controlled much of the race, setting up their star sprinter for the perfect finish.
What This Means for the General Classification
While Wiebes' victory doesn't significantly alter the GC standings, it reinforces SD Worx-Protime's dominance in this year's race. The Dutch squad now holds both the yellow jersey (through Lotte Kopecky) and the green points jersey (via Wiebes).
The Tour de France Femmes continues tomorrow with a potentially decisive mountain stage that could reshuffle the overall standings.
