Thalita de Jong and Nina Buijsman defended their top-25 positions in the general classification of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in the stage 4 time trial from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon, with Buijsman leaping up eight places.
Carlotta Cipressi also turned on the afterburners, finishing as the team’s top performer in the 21-kilometer race of truth.
“I think the difference was that I was relaxed,” Cipressi said of her performance. “Just before the start, I said to myself, ‘Just have fun and treat it just like a normal bike race, have fun, Carlotta’.”
In the hottest temperatures of the week [94 degrees], the staff behind-the-scenes worked tirelessly to mitigate the effects of such stifling heat. With Velotoze ice vests on the Wahoo KICKR trainers during warm-up and all the way until the start gate, ice socks, fans, and CORE cooling vests and towels afterwards, regulating an athlete’s temperature is crucial this week.
The protocols clearly worked for Cipressi, who beat a handful of GC riders and time trial experts, finishing in 23rd place behind stage winner and new yellow jersey Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team).
“I had a great time with my Factor bike,” the 23-year-old said. “It rode so well, was quick and very good through the technical sections.”
Buijsman’s performance was also notable, helping her leap up eight places in the overall classification on the eve of a handful of stages for puncheur-climbers. De Jong will also be crucial in the coming days on parcours that suit Ardennes Classics-style riders like the Dutch duo.
Tomorrow, stage 5 from Mâcon to Belleville-en-Beaujolais features eight categorized climbs and 2,783 meters of elevation across Beaujolais wine country. The unrelenting terrain offers little rest, with multiple short, steep ascents.
Stage Gallery
Photos: GettySport
