Monica Trinca Colonel blasted to third place in the stage four time trial at the Tour Féminin de l’Ardèche, jumping up to fourth place in the overall standings as well.
With a classified climb and 20km against the clock, the TT would see the first major shake-up in the general classification since the opening day’s uphill finale.
Trinca Colonel, who was among the final few riders off the start ramp, has shown herself to be a growing threat in the discipline. The 26-year-old Italian set out a tough benchmark and rocketed right to the top of the standings with her time of 28:40.
It was a tense wait as the remaining riders completed their efforts with only two riders able to better Trinca Colonel. With her third place, she also climbs to fourth overall with two climb-packed stages to come.
Ella Wyllie made it another Liv AlUla Jayco rider in the top 10 on the stage and moved herself up to ninth overall.
Monica Trinca Colonel
“Yesterday I was caught from the peloton with 2.5 km to go and I was left with a bitter taste, but maybe in the end it served as a good warm-up. Jokes aside, today’s time trial was positive for me: the course suited my characteristics and I’m happy because, thanks to the support of the team, the equipment, and the work with Marco Pinotti, I’ve really improved in this discipline, which I’m starting to enjoy and have fun with. I’m glad to have moved up in the general classification, even though that wasn’t the main goal at the start. Now we’ll see day by day how things go. I’m enjoying myself and I want to keep going.”
Tour Féminin de l’Ardèche stage 4 results
1. Mischa Bredewold 28:18
2. Maeva Squiban +13
3. Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco) +22
Tour Féminin de l’Ardèche general classification after stage 4
1. Mischa Bredewold 06:50:00
4. Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco) +48
