Perfect double! Van Vleuten wins the women's Tour de France
DPA
· 31.07.2022
In the showdown on the ramps after La Super Planche des Belles Filles, the 39-year-old Dutchwoman outsprinted the competition, as she had done the day before, and was crowned overall winner in impressive style.
Almost four minutes ahead for van Vleuten
After eight stages and 1033.8 kilometres, Van Vleuten was 3:48 minutes ahead of compatriot Demi Vollering, who finished second on the day, 30 seconds behind.
National champion Liane Lippert finished in tenth place and 14th overall. Lippert was part of a leading group that rode ahead of the field for a long time and mastered the first very difficult climb to the Ballon d'Alsace before the favourites. The group then had no chance of winning the day on the tough final climb.
Solo victory as cornerstone for success at Tour de France Femmes
Van Vleuten had laid the foundation for his Tour triumph on Saturdaywhen she put in a 62 kilometre solo ride on the mountain stage through the Vosges and took the stage win with a lead of over three minutes.
Although she was slowed down by a defect on Sunday and had to continue on a team-mate's bike for a while, she only let this stop her for a short time.
Van Vleuten wants to end her career in 2023
Van Vleuten, who plans to end her successful career at the end of 2023, thus added a new dimension to her Giro victory another major success this season. The three-time world champion on the road also won the Liège-Bastogne-Liège classic and took second place in the Tour of Flanders, Flèche Wallonne and Strade Bianche.
The eighth and final stage was watched by many fans, just like the men's race this year. Lennard Kämna missed out on the stage win by 100 metres, when he was overtaken by the top stars Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard shortly before the finish line.
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