© ASO / Charly Lopez
Tour de France: the Victor Lafay revelation
Surprise winner of the 2nd stage in San Sebastián, Victor Lafay’s (Cofidis) own road among the pros has had a profile that resembles the Basque mountains where he made his mark this past weekend at the start of the Tour de France. Accident-prone. Punctuated by very highs and therefore very lows. The 27-year-old from Haute-Savoy did not dream of being a professional and made the move somewhat late after suffering from an injury that could have ended his career when still a junior.
On Saturday, he was the only one who could hold the wheels of Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar in the final of the first stage. Then on Sunday, Cédric Vasseur’s protégé attacked in the final kilometer to achieve the greatest success of his career. “I was super frustrated on Saturday, I got it all a bit wrong,” he admitted. “Anthony said to me: ‘It’s great what you did’, but I was frustrated. I replayed the film of the race. If I had attacked, would Pogacar have let me go with Yates? As a result, I missed the opportunity. Not only that, but there was the yellow jersey at the end on Saturday. I was not happy with myself; I had the legs and I did not take advantage of it. So Sunday, for once, I had a plan. We were really rolling fast. So I said to myself: “as soon as the pace drops a little, I attack”. It happened about a kilometer from the finish. I didn’t ask myself any questions. I tried my best. I took off to the left, leaning over the bike as much as possible. I was a little lucky, it worked out well for me.”
In the race for the yellow jersey, Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard have already launched hostilities, multiplying the banderillas. After two days of racing, advantage to Pogacar’s UAE team, which wears the yellow jersey thanks to Adam Yates after his victory on the first stage in Bilbao. This 110th edition promises to continue to be thrilling after returning to France this Monday in Bayonne.
Stages won by: A. Yates (UAE Team Emirates), Lafay (Cofidis).
*****
Giro d’Italia Donne: Van Vleuten already impressive
After the cancellation of the prologue (4.4 km individual time trial in Chianciano) on Friday due to heavy rain and strong winds, the Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) hit hard on Saturday in the 2nd stage between Bagno a Ripoli and Marradi.
The 40-year-old world champion won solo, posting the 100th victory of her career.
Above all, the Dutchwoman defeated all her main opponents by 45 seconds. The Danish Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) won the sprint for 2nd place ahead of the French Juliette Labous (Team DSM-Firmenich).
Van Vleuten (Movistar), winner of the event last year, is 49 seconds ahead of Ludwig overall and 51 over Labous. On Sunday, the 3rd of nine stages, 118.2 km long, between Formigine and Modena was won by her compatriot Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx).
Stages won by: prologue cancelled, Van Vleuter (Movistar), Wiebes (Team SD Worx).
*****
Upcoming races:
Until 9 July: Giro d’Italia Donne, https://www.giroditaliadonne.it/
9 July: Axion Swiss Bank Gran Premio Citta di Lugano, https://gplugano.ch/
Until 23 July: Tour de France, https://www.letour.fr/fr/