Break from Alexandra Burchenkova threatens overall lead by Emma Johansson holds on
Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle Honda) sprinted to her second victory in two days in stage two of the Route de France, between Enghien-les-Bains and Mantes-la-Jolie, in a bunch sprint. The former two-time World champion was once again the fastest of the 38-strong bunch that arrived that the finish, after the peloton was split on the mainly flat, but windy course.
South African champion Ashleigh Moolman (Lotto-Belisol) took second place on the slighly uphill finishing straight, ahead of Thalita de Jong (Rabobank-Liv/Giant).
“Today was a little bit shorter and because of that there were so many attacks from the start,” said Bronzini. “It was a little bit harder, with some climbs and wind today. In the final 25km there was one Russian girl that attacked, and had one minute - or one minute and a half - so I spoke together with [race leader Emma] Johansson and we decided to chase together.
“So she put her [Orica-AIS] teammates, and I put my teammates on the front and Lotte Becker, Lauren Kitchen and Mayuko Hagiwara did a really, really good job. Linda Villumsen reserved her power for an attack in the final, and I reserved my power for a possible sprint.”
The stage saw several attacks, with Valentina Scandolara (MCipollini-Giordana) able to get 35 seconds clear in the first half. As the Italian was caught Russia’s Alexandra Burchenkova managed to break away and was 1’25” ahead as she entered the final 25km. Wiggle Honda and Orica-AIS chased down the lone Russian, however, and she was caught with just over five kilometres to go.
The pace of the chase in the crosswinds saw the peloton split for the second day in succession, with just 38 riders arriving at the finish together.
“We arrived at the finish in a bunch,” Bronzini explained. “The last corner was at 300 metres, and the finish was a little bit of a climb, which is my favourite sprint. I was in the wheel of Lizzie Armitstead [Lotto-Belisol], after Lauren had led me there - so she did a great job again - and I started my sprint at 150 metres, and it was good!
“When I saw that the finish was a little bit uphill I thought ‘it is one of my favourites, and I will go with all my power,’” she smiled.
Once again there were no changes to the top of the general classification, with Johansson holding on to the orange jersey she took in the prologue. The former Swedish champion was just one second ahead of Linda Villumsen (Wiggle Honda), with Amy Pieters (Argos-Shimano) a further second behind in third.
Result stage 2
1. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling
2. Ashleigh Moolman (RSA) Lotto-Belisol
3. Thalita de Jong (Ned) Rababank-Liv/Giant
4. Chloé McConville (Aus) Australian National Team
5. Emma Johansson (Swe) Orica-AIS
6. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Boels-Dolmans
7. Amy Pieters (Ned) Argos-Shimano
8. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) Rabobank-Liv/Giant
9. Valentina Scandolara (Ita) MCipollini-Giordana
10. Alena Amialyusik (Blr) Be Pink
Standings after stage 2
1. Emma Johansson (Swe) Orica-AIS
2. Linda Villumsen (NZl) Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling @ 1s
3. Amy Pieters (Ned) Argos-Shimano @ 2s
4. Evelyn Stevens (USA) United States National Team @ 5s
5. Roxane Knetemann (Ned) Rabobank-Liv/Giant @ 6s
6. Iris Slappendel (Ned) Rabobank-Liv/Giant @ 7s
7. Tatiana Guderzo (Ita) MCipollini-Giordana @ 8s
8. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) Rabobank-Liv/Giant @ 9s
9. Thalita de Jong (Ned) Rabobank-Liv/Giant
10. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) Orica-AIS