Ruth Edwards rode the perfect time trial to capture the GC lead on the penultimate day of the Thüringen Ladies Tour in Altenburg, Germany.
The 30-year-old stormed around the 31.5km route at an average of 26 mph (43 kmh), finishing 24 seconds behind stage winner Mischa Bredewold (Team SD Worx – Protime) and taking fourth on the day.
The result means that Edwards heads into the final day with much of the time captured in the stage one breakaway intact and a lead of two minutes and six seconds.
“It feels amazing to be back in a race lead at a bike race but it hasn’t sunk in yet,” she said after the finish. “I had a few things I wanted to do with my return to cycling and riding for a team that has fully backed me since there was ever an inkling of a return feels special. I’m motivated and I hope I can deliver the win tomorrow.”
Edwards will rely on teammates Krista Doebel-Hickok, Romy Kasper, Barbara Malcotti, and Alice Wood to help defend her yellow jersey in tomorrow’s finale.
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- Edwards sets off.
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- A huge effort in 86 degrees.
“The team has been excellent this week,” she said. “Unfortunately we lost Katia [Ragusa] and she plays a vital role but Romy, Barbara, Krista, and Alice have all been super awesome so I know they’ll give me their all tomorrow.”
Team Director Clark Sheehan has observed Edwards’ impressive performances in time trials throughout the season, including today’s effort and at the US Pro Road National Championships.
“We planned to take the yellow jersey today and Ruth executed it flawlessly,” he said. “This is a performance with countless hours of work, training, dedication, and a support team on the ground behind it.”
The race ends tomorrow on familiarly hilly ground but with the majority of the climbing coming early on.
Thüringen Ladies Tour stage five results
1 BREDEWOLD Mischa – Team SD Worx – Protime 43.04
2 CHAPMAN Brodie – Lidl – Trek 0.11
3 SCHWEINBERGER Christina – Fenix-Deceuninck 0.22
4 EDWARDS Ruth – Human Powered Health 0.24
5 BENITO Mireia – AG Insurance – Soudal Team 1.09
6 KRAAK Amber – Netherlands 1.12
7 NIEWIADOMA Katarzyna – Canyon//SRAM Racing 1.14
8 BORGHESI Letizia – EF Education-Cannondale 1.14
9 AHTOSALO Anniina – Uno-X Mobility 1.14
10 DIJKSTRA Anneke – VolkerWessels Women’s Pro Cycling Team 1.15
Thüringen Ladies Tour general classification after stage five
1 EDWARDS Ruth – Human Powered Health 13:18:10
2 BREDEWOLD Mischa – Team SD Worx – Protime 2:06
3 SCHWEINBERGER Christina – Fenix-Deceuninck 2:42
4 CHAPMAN Brodie – Lidl – Trek 2:59
5 BENITO Mireia – AG Insurance – Soudal Team 3:29
6 NIEWIADOMA Katarzyna – Canyon//SRAM Racing 3:30
7 BRAND Lucinda – Lidl – Trek 3:31
8 KRAAK Amber – Netherlands 3:32
9 LACH Marta – CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team 3:33
10 BORGHESI Letizia – EF Education-Cannondale 3:34
