Marta Bastianelli comes close to success at Tour de l'Ardèche

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A very close success for Marta Bastianelli, who today came in second place in the slightly uphill sprint that decided the first stage of the 19^th Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche, in France.

In program 111,9 kilometres with departure from Aubenas and finish in Barjac and Alé BTC Ljubljana immediately protagonist. On the final climb the Italian tried to anticipate the time but she was overtaken just at the last moment by the Cuban Arlenis Sierra (A.R. Monex). Third position for the Spanish Sheyla Gutiérrez (Movistar Team) and fourth the British Lizzie Deignan (Trek-Segafredo). Among the firsts also the team leader for this Tour, the Spanish Mavi Garcia, who finished in eleventh place.

The sports director of Alé BTC Ljubljana Giuseppe Lanzoni commented: “At the finish there was a short climb, there were about fifty riders left in front, and they spread out, Marta started maybe a bit too early and was overtaken in the final. It was what she had to do to try to win. That’s good”.

Tomorrow, the second stage, from Anneyron to Beauchastel of 122.6 km. A stage a bit more demanding but “I foresee another sprint arrival between a group a bit more narrow,” Lanzoni explains.

From Friday onwards the stages will be a bit tougher with real climbs where the general classification will be at stake.

THE STAGES:

1^st stage | 08/09/2021 | Aubenas - Barjac (km 111.9)

2^nd stage | 09/09/2021 Anneyron - Beauchastel (km 122.6)

3^rd stage | 10/09/2021 Avignon - Avignon (km 133.8)

4^th stage | 11/09/2021 Aumont-Aubrac - Mont Lozère (km 119.5)

5^th stage | 12/09/2021 Saint-Jean-en-Royans - Saint-Jean-en-Royans (km 113.5)

6^thStage | 13/09/2021 Anduze - Goudargues (km 138.5)

7^th stage | 14/09/2021 | Le Pouzin - Privas (km 81.5)​