Mylène de Zoete (Ceratizit-WNT) sprinted to victory under wet conditions on stage 1 of the Tour of Chongming Island ahead of Tereza Neumanová (UAE Team ADQ) and Sofie van Rooijen (VolkerWessels).
De Zoete takes the yellow and green jersey, while Karolina Kumiega (UAE /ADQ) wears the polka-dot (QOM)jersey, and Sofie van Rooijen (VolkerWessels) wears the white jersey for youngest rider.
Sofie van Rooijen, Mylène de Zoete, Karolina Kumiega (photo: chongming2024)
RIDER REACTIONS
Tereza Neumanová (2nd): “I’m very happy with this podium because it’s been a difficult season for me, with physical problems causing a lot of stress. So, to be on the podium today is really rewarding. The win was very close, and while it’s a bit disappointing not to have taken it, I think we can be proud of our performance. Now, we’re focused on the upcoming stages, where we’ll have more opportunities to go for the win.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
The 108.9km stage saw a number of riders attempt to breakaway, but the long flat boulevards of Chongming Island discouraged attackers and favored the sprint teams who held the race together easily.
With around 40km remaining, a large group of 17 riders was able to force a gap on the the peloton, but Lotto Dstny and VolkerWessels, who both did not have riders in the group, made sure they didn’t get far and the group was reeled in with 30km remaining. Other attacks were tried, but were quickly neutralized by the sprint teams who brought them back easily.
There was one late attack by Marta Lach (Ceratizit-WNT) with around 2km to go that looked like it might have a chance, but it was neutralized by VolkerWessels rider who sat on her wheel, and with less 500 meters to go the peloton had absorbed Lach.
In the finale, the sprawling boulevard allowed teams plenty of space to maneuver, but it was UAE/ADQ who looked best positioned with their sprinter Neumanová sitting on teammate Karolina Kumięga’s wheel. At the 200 meter mark, Neumanová launched her sprint and looked to be on track for the win, but De Zoete was quicker and came by in the final 20 meters to take the victory.
There were also notable performances by Chinese riders. In particular, Wenjia Qi (Bodywrap LTwoo) who took 6th, Yuandan Wen (China Natl. Team), who took 14th, and Yue Chang (China Natl. Team) who was 17th.
Wenjia Qi (Bodywrap LTwoo) sprinted to 6th place in stage 1 (photo: chongming2024)
RESULTS
Stage 1: Chongming New City Park (108.9km)