Former road cycling world champion Marianne Vos has taken the lead in the Tour de France Femmes.
The 35-year-old London Olympic champion from the Netherlands won the second stage in the sprint in a breakaway ahead of Italy’s Silvia Persico and Katarzyna Niewiadoma from Poland. After the 136.5-kilometre section between Meaux and Provins east of Paris, Vos is ten seconds ahead of Persico and twelve seconds ahead of Niewiadoma in the overall standings.
Once again, the finale of the stage was marked by serious falls. Several riders fell three times within the last 30 kilometers. Among others, the top professionals Marta Cavalli from Italy and Cecilie Ludwig from Denmark were affected. In addition, strong side winds played an important role, causing the main field to split into several parts and Lorena Wiebes, who won the opening event, lost the connection to the top and her yellow jersey.
On Tuesday it will be more profiled, especially in the final. After starting in the champagne city of Reims, the route initially heads south on a level course. After a 180-degree loop, it goes over three mountain classifications to Épernay. After 133.6 kilometers, a smaller group is likely to sprint.