Monica Trinca Colonel scored her second podium finish in as many days at the Tour Féminin de l’Ardèche, riding to third place on the race’s queen stage and moving to second in the overall standings.
Trinca Colonel started the day in fourth place in the overall classification after a superb ride in the stage 4 time trial. Stage five included seven categorised climbs, including two first category ascents, to test the riders.
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The Italian built on her performance from the previous day, attacking ahead of the penultimate climb and joining two riders from Visma-Lease a Bike at the head of the race. Though she was distanced on the tough final ascent of Mont Lozere, Trinca Colonel battled hard to keep the gap to just 14 seconds on the line to hold on for third place and move up two places in the general classification.
Liv AlUla Jayco teammate Ella Wyllie also put in a strong performance to claim eleventh on the stage and move up to eighth overall, capping off another good day for the team.
Monica Trinca Colonel
“I knew the stage was going to be long, but I was feeling good, so just before the second-to-last KOM I decided to give it a try. I closed the gap with the front of the race and the three of us started the final climb with one minute over the bunch. The pace set by Visma was too much for me at this point, and I had to climb at my own rhythm. A great confirmation today, I’m having fun. Huge thanks to the team.”
Tour Féminin de l’Ardèche stage 5 results
1. Marion Bunel 03:50:04
2. Femke De Vries st
3. Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco) +0:14
Tour Féminin de l’Ardèche general classification after stage 5
1. Femke De Vries 10:30:36
2. Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco) +0:30
