Ruth Edwards has won the general classification of the Thüringen Ladies Tour in Germany.
Resplendent in the yellow race leader’s jersey, Edwards and her teammates responded to the challenge of defending her lead on the rolling 105.4km route around Schmalkalden.
“This means more to me than I could possibly begin to describe,” she said. “I don’t think I stole the yellow jersey from anyone, I took it. I showed how strong I am right now every day.”
The 30-year-old had an exceptional week in Germany, securing a large chunk of time in the overall with a 60km breakaway with Margot Vanpachtenbeke on stage 1 before capturing the yellow jersey in the decisive stage 5 time trial.
Even in torrential rain during Sunday’s finale, Edwards kept her resolve and trusted in her mindset, following every move, finishing seventh on the day and securing the yellow jersey.
“Racing is mostly a mindset, you have to be strong physically,” she explained. “But, while the rain can be a challenge. I just told myself something I learned from the Boulder juniors back home, “I love these conditions,” and if you just keep telling yourself that. Slowly it becomes true.”
Edwards is back in action at the Giro d’Italia Women starting July 7, a race where in 2018 she took a stage win and wore the pink jersey. Sipping beer from a boot-shaped glass, Edwards reflected on the coming challenge.
“Winning here is a bit of proof to myself to continue to back myself and believe that I can be there,” she said. “The Giro is always a good race, hard in many ways, and special to me personally. I’ll look forward to the challenge next week.”
Thüringen Ladies Tour general classification after stage five
1 EDWARDS Ruth – Human Powered Health
2 BREDEWOLD Mischa – Team SD Worx – Protime 2:06
3 CHAPMAN Brodie – Lidl – Trek 2:59
4 BRAND Lucinda – Lidl – Trek 3:25
5 LACH Marta – CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team 3:27
6 BENITO Mireia – AG Insurance – Soudal Team 3:29
7 NIEWIADOMA Katarzyna – Canyon//SRAM Racing 3:30
8 KRAAK Amber – Netherlands 3:32
9 BORGHESI Letizia – EF Education-Cannondale 3:34
10 DRONOVA-BALABOLINA Tamara – Roland 3:41
