| This was the stage everyone,
riders and fans alike, had been waiting for! The famous
Col du Tourmalet and Col D’Aspin mountain passes
with the finish in xx made it the perfect finale for
the Grande Boucle.
A steady pace was set for the first 15 kilometers
but Fernandes (USCI Chirio) decided to anticipate
the bunch and started the climb with 2minutes advantage.
Moreno (CVA) attacked on the early slopes and passed
Fernandes to take the lead while behind Nicole was
riding steadily in the lead group which was gradually
getting smaller and smaller as the slopes of the Tourmalet
took their toll (sp?). Shortly after catching Moreno
with about 12km to go to the summit Emma Pooley (Spezialised)
attacked the lead group and Nicole was quick to follow
her.
Pooley and Nicole rode away to an advantage of 1min20
over Priska Doppmann (Raleigh), Moreno (CVA) and Mujika
(Biskai). At this point the pace of Pooley was too
much for Nicole and she dropped back to the chasing
group who caught Nicole about 4km from the summit.
Towards the top Moreno attacked taking Doppmann and
another rider with her. Nicole was not able to follow
the hard pace and rode steadily to the summit.
On the descent Nicole used all her experience to
pass Moreno who had been left by Doppmann and then
catch Pooley towards the bottom of the descent. Nicole’s
team mate Doppmann was 40seconds ahead of Nicole and
Pooley and as they started the Col D’Aspin Nicole
stayed with Pooley while she continued the ride of
her life and climbed so strongly that she caught Doppmann
4km from the top of the climb.
This was a great position for Raleigh and with some
good decending from Doppmann and Nicole they were
able to celebrate the stage win taken by Doppmann
and the overall victory for Nicole to make it her
second win and yellow jersey of her career.
Pooley came in close behind in 3rd place which actually
moved her up into 3rd place overall and is a great
result for Pooley who has been riding strongly all
season.
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