A Mechanical Failure Led to the First Major Surprise of the Tour de France Femmes
The first stage of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, a 123 km (76 mi) route from Rotterdam to La Haye, unfolded with few surprises despite a couple of crashes and an unexpected winner. The pace of the peloton seemed measured for the start of this third edition of the race, which is preempted by the upcoming Paris Olympics. The anticipated fireworks, however, were missing.
A Bit of a Snooze
The excitement of having the Tour de France Femmes’ first Grand Départ outside of France set high expectations for a thrilling race. However, the stage fell short of delivering the drama fans were hoping for. Despite the significance of the historic start in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the race unfolded without major surprises or decisive moves. The peloton seemed content to maintain a steady pace, maybe anticipating the demands and unique challenges posed by this year’s route. The exciting start we anticipated for this third edition (and second reincarnation) of the race was dampened by the lack of action on the road, leaving many of us wanting more.
Wiebes’ Missed Opportunity
Today’s standout favorite, Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx-Protime, faced unexpected challenges in what should have been her day. With 18 victories this season, Wiebes was poised for success. Yet, a mechanical failure dashed her hopes in the race’s final meters. A touch of wheels with second-place finisher Anniina Ahtosalo (Uno-X Mobility) caused Wiebes’ derailleur to snap, leaving her unable to contest the sprint. Instead, it was Charlotte Kool of Dsm-firmenich PostNL who capitalized on the situation, taking both the stage win and the Yellow and Green jerseys. Ahtosalo finished second place, and Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek finished third.
For Wiebes and SD Worx-Protime, missing the Yellow Jersey on the opening day can feel like a significant setback, particularly given the limited sprint opportunities in this eight-stage race. The psychological impact of this loss on home soil could disrupt their strategy to assert dominance early, both in the sprints and in the upcoming mountain stages.
Celebrating Kool’s Triumph
However, Charlotte Kool’s victory shouldn’t go uncelebrated. The 25-year-old Dutch sprinter has consistently been a strong contender in flat finishes despite often finding herself in second place this season. Today’s win marks only her second victory of 2024, highlighting her persistence and potential. Tomorrow’s Stage 2 presents another opportunity for sprinters, and Wiebes’ disappointment might fuel her determination to reassert her position as the fastest woman in the peloton.
How Can SD Worx-Protime Win Stage 2?
Stage 2, a 70 km (44 mi) route through Rotterdam, offers another flat and fast course. For SD Worx-Protime, the key to success lies in controlling the race dynamics. They should collaborate with other sprinter teams to maintain a high pace start, keeping their sprinters and overall leaders protected until it is time for the sprint trains to organize once they hit the three-kilometers-to-go mark.
Traditionally, sprint stages allow for early breakaways to establish gaps, only to be reeled in before the finish. However, the short length of tomorrow’s stage makes it risky to let opportunists gain any leeway, no matter how early or late those attacks should come.
In a scenario where the race becomes more aggressive, with multiple teams launching attacks to form breakaways, SD Worx-Protime could consider placing Wiebes and a teammate in a decisive move. While unlikely, such a strategy could pay off, particularly with the unique challenge of an individual time trial following this stage just hours later.
Pre-Race Reflections and the Road Ahead
The opening day wasn’t devoid of emotional highlights. Pre-race interviews revealed the riders’ perspectives on the evolution of women’s cycling. Dutch rider and reigning champion Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) had shared a childhood photo on Instagram earlier that morning. When asked about it, she said, “That’s something that people should not forget, that we were once small girls. I’m very proud of women’s sports in general, that we’ve grown so fast. But there are still gaps to close. Being here in Holland for the start of the Tour is really special, and I think we can be grateful for that, but there still is a way to go.”
As we move forward, the Tour de France Femmes promises to deliver more excitement. Tomorrow’s double feature should ignite the spark we’ve been waiting for, and it remains to be seen which riders will rise to the occasion.
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