Time Trial day at the Tour de l’Ardèche and a strong performance by Maeva Squiban, who finished second on the stage and now sits second in the GC. Solid race as well by the young Federica Venturelli, who placed eighth.
The fourth stage of the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche featured an individual time trial with uphill sections, covering 20.1 kilometers with start and finish in Vals-les-Bains.
The stage was won by Dutch rider Mischa Bredewold (Team SD Worx – Protime) in 28:18, at an average speed of 42.615 km/h. French rider Maeva Squiban claimed second place, 13 seconds down, while Italian Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco) finished third, 22 seconds behind. Federica Venturelli secured eighth place, 45 seconds back.
In the General Classification, Squiban is now in second position, 26 seconds behind the new race leader Mischa Bredewold. Teammate Alena Ivanchenko sits in eighth place overall at 1’12’’.
On the opening stage, last Thuesday, won by World Champion Lotte Kopecky, UAE Team ADQ placed three riders in the top ten: Erica Magnaldi fourth, Alena Ivanchenko sixth, and Maeva Squiban eighth. The second stage was cancelled due to safety concerns related to potential protests on the roads in France. In yesterday’s third stage, the three UAE Team ADQ riders finished in the main group, all holding a spot in the overall top ten ahead of today’s time trial.
Tomorrow’s fifth stage will be a demanding mountain stage, from Mende to Le Mont Lozère, covering 125.8 kilometers.
(ph. Getty Sport)
