Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit) won the women’s World Cup race in Pontchâteau, France after accelerating in the very first metres of the race and riding the rest of the field off her wheel. Hanka Kupfernagel (Stevens), who’d managed to stay with the World champion for the longest, finished second, 24 seconds behind.
Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (France), who’d also been away with Vos for a while, took third place for the host naton, and her first World Cup podium of the season, after 52 seconds.
With hardly any mud, and few obstacles, the race turned out to be a masterclass of power from the 23-year-old World champion, who attacked right from the start. Only Kupfernagel and Ferrier-Bruneau were able to hold on to the Dutchwoman’s wheel and the three riders rode together for the first two laps; midway through lap three though, Ferrier-Bruneau could hold the pace no longer and was forced to let the other two riders go.
Kupfernagel was able to hang onto Vos for one more lap, but part way through lap five the German champion was also forced to yield to the Netherlands and World champion.
Vos took the bell, with one lap to go, 12 seconds clear of Kupfernagel and managed to double that advantage by the time she crossed the line to take the win alone.
Sanne Van Paassen (Brainwash Wielerploeg) escaped French duo Pauline Ferrand Prevot and Caroline Mani to take fourth place; with World Cup leader Katie Compton (Planet Bike) sitting out the race to spend some time in the US, the Dutch rider takes over the white jersey once more.
With 60 points available for a win, Compton is the only rider who could possibly unseat Van Paassen in the final round in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. The US champion must win the race and hope that the Dutchwoman finishes worse than seventh. With Van Paassen finishing no lower than fourth all season though, and with Compton’s concentration focused on the World Championships the following weekend, it’s likely that the Brainwash rider will secure the title for the first time.
Result World Cup Pontchâteau Elite Women
1. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
2. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) Stevens @ 24s
3. Chrisel Ferrier-Bruneau (Fra) France @ 52s
4. Sanne Van Paassen (Ned) Brainwash Wielerploeg @ 1’10”
5. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) France @ 1’12”
6. Caroline Mani (Fra) France @ 1’12”
7. Sophie De Boer (Ned) ZZPR.nl @ 1’14”
8. Sanne Cant (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus @ 2’12”
9. Pavla Havlikova (Cze) APB Cycling Team @ 2’20”
10. Sabrina Stultiens (Ned) Brainwash Wielerploeg @ 2’48”
Standings after 6 rounds
1. Sanne Van Paassen (Ned) Brainwash Wielerploeg 270pts
2. Katie Compton (USA) Planet Bike 240
3. Daphny Van Den Brand (Ned) ZZPR.nl 190
4. Sanne Cant (Bel) BKCP-Powerplus 173
5. Pavla Havlikova (Cze) APB Cycling Team 172