Liane Lippert makes history at the Tour de France Femmes. The German champion secures the first stage win for a German rider in the Tour de France Femmes.
Liane Lippert on her victory on stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes
After 151.7 kilometres between Clermont-Ferrand and Mauriac, the 25-year-old came out on top ahead of Lotte Kopecky and Silvia Persico. "This is so special, I'm very happy, very proud," said Lippert in an official interview.
The day started anything but well for the Team Movistar rider, who crashed in the neutralised phase before the official start. "I crashed twice - in the neutralised phase and then on the climb. It was a bit stressful, but the team was so good. Everyone is a part of this victory. We came back after the crash and stayed calm in the rain. But I always ride well in the rain. I was even happy when the rain started."
The German champion described her sprint to victory as follows: "I didn't think I was going to win. I focussed on Lotte (Kopecky; editor's note) the whole time and stayed calm. Then I thought to myself that I would open the sprint now. Because long and hard uphill sprints like this suit me better. But I still couldn't believe it when I crossed the finish line. I thought that there might still be a breakaway at the front or something like that. It still takes time to realise it."
Tour de France Femmes - Results: The top 10 of stage 2
- Liane Lippert (Movistar Team) 4:13:43
- Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx) +0:00
- Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ) +0:00
- Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step) +0:00
- Christina Schweinberger (Fenix-Deceuninck) +0:00
- Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-SUEZ) +0:00
- Demi Vollering (Team SD Worx) +0:00
- Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing) +0:00
- Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar Team) +0:00
- Tamara Dronova (Israel-Premier Tech Roland) +0:00
Liane Lippert also moved up to second place in the overall standings thanks to her victory on the day. Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx) successfully defended the yellow jersey.
The top 10 in the overall ranking
- Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx) 7:17:36
- Liane Lippert (Movistar Team) +0:49
- Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step) +0:59
- Demi Vollering (Team SD Worx) +0:59
- Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-SUEZ) +0:59
- Tamara Dronova (Israel-Premier Tech Roland) +0:59
- Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) +0:59
- Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar Team) +0:59
- Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing) +0:59
- Ane Santesteban (Team Jayco-AlUla) +1:03
Liane Lippert reaches her goal
Lippert has already achieved her personal goal on stage 2. "Of course, our biggest goal is to win with Annemiek (van Vleuten; editor's note) and defend the title. However, the classification will primarily be decided on the stage to the Tourmalet and in the time trial. That's why I think we can perhaps play a few cards with Emma Norsgaard and myself on stages 1, 2 and 4. I don't know the exact plan, but I should have a chance to win a stage," said the rider from Friedrichshafen shortly before the start of the women's Tour de France. The complete interview is available here.
Tour de France Femmes: Crashes overshadow stage 2
During the 2nd stage of the Tour de France Femmes there were several crashes that overshadowed the race. Last year's winner Annemiek van Vleuten from the Netherlands was able to continue after a crash. Her compatriot Eva van Agt lost control of her racing bike on the wet road a few kilometres before the finish and crashed into a crash barrier. There is no information yet about her state of health.
