@Sutty - Exactly the same crew as for the mens race but yes it could have been better. But a womens race 100% live is enough to get me excited and overlook those problems
Armitstead had the power on 'The Wall' to win the race ahead of Longo Borghini, with Amialiusik just a small gap behind them. A really exciting and fast paced race. This route is just a great one for action.
Standings are not update but i think this should put Armitstead back into the World Cup lead just ahead of Longo Borghini and Amialiusik, though Alena might be 4th/5th. I can't do the math right now
Euskal Emakumeen Bira, or the Womens version of Pais Vasco
Opening prologue went to Van Vleuten. Not much to say, it was a prologue...
Stage 1 had a nice climb in the route and it was the action point of the day. A small group of four stayed clear to the finish line where Megan Guarnier surprised Emma Johansson to win the stage.
Stage 2 had a great finish. A much more deciseive climb much close to the finish. Late action again with a group staying clear. Van Vleuten thought she had it won but as we know, never raise your hands unless you know you've won. Emma Johansson squeezing a tyre width ahead to win the stage!
Again on Stage 3 the climb near the end was decisive. Chantal Blaak just holding off Cecchini and Garfoot. Lots of splits really shaking up the GC.
The final stage was was the BIG climbing stage. Emma Johansson outsprinted Niewiadoma for the stage win, but the Pole claimed the GC victory. Guarnier outdid Moolman for the final stage podium.
For her two stage wins Johansson was rewarded with 3rd overall, behind Moolman and race winner Niewiadoma
The Aviva Womens Tour begins on Wednesday. The second running of the event is the biggest Womens event to be held in the UK and one of the bigger .1 level races full stop. The route is very similar to last year so mostly flat and each stage should end up in a sprint unless a breakaway can stay clear. Tight country roads and not the best surfaces are the biggest hazards.
And those are just the biggest names. It really is a super startlist and it will be a great race to follow along. Shame you won't have me updating you every day, so i thouroughly you at least check the results on PCS
Also big shout out to Le Court for Matrix who is from Mauritius!
Armistead crossed the line to win. Then before she could get control fully back over her bike and brakes, having raised arms to celebrate the win, ran into what i think is one of the press/camera guys who's inside the barriers. That's a pretty big, high speed crash, condition still unknown but early indications are not good.
Relatively freak accident but one i'm always afraid will happen. The guys inside the barriers are so focused on their job they are not paying enough attention to the riders right in front of them. There's a close call almost every race i watch and today Lizzie just ran out of room and luck. Pretty frustrated at what should be a completely avoidable accident in a part of the course where the riders should be as safe as possible....
This video doesn't show the moment of collision but it gives a good idea of what happened
Quite amazingly Lizzie has zero broken bones or serious injuries from the crash. Bruised and cut up but ok. Won't start tomorrow chosing the take the time to recover with eyes on challenging for the NC in a couple of weeks time. Really amazed she is not more injured considering the speed of the crash.
And as far as i've heard the rest of the riders that went down are all ok as well. Cuts and bruises but nothing serious. Probably another drop out or two but that accident really could have been a lot worse.
TheManxMissile wrote:
Quite amazingly Lizzie has zero broken bones or serious injuries from the crash. Bruised and cut up but ok. Won't start tomorrow chosing the take the time to recover with eyes on challenging for the NC in a couple of weeks time. Really amazed she is not more injured considering the speed of the crash.
And as far as i've heard the rest of the riders that went down are all ok as well. Cuts and bruises but nothing serious. Probably another drop out or two but that accident really could have been a lot worse.
That was one of the stupid organisers standing right in her path, what an idiot
Mark Bennett (i think is his name) is the old white haird guy, he's the race organiser. Not exactly his fault more a coming together of circumstances that it's amazing has not happened more often. But it's something i'd like to see investigated because every sprint i watch i'm amazed that no-one hits the media sprawled into the road just after the finish line, when riders are at 50, 60, 70+ km/h...
That was one of the stupid organisers standing right in her path, what an idiot
Mark Bennett (i think is his name) is the old white haird guy, he's the race organiser. Not exactly his fault more a coming together of circumstances that it's amazing has not happened more often. But it's something i'd like to see investigated because every sprint i watch i'm amazed that no-one hits the media sprawled into the road just after the finish line, when riders are at 50, 60, 70+ km/h...
Totally agree with you on that, its the same with the men's races as well, they are within 100 yards on some finishes and as they get further back they edge out in to the road for a better view.
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
