Tiffany Cromwell had yet another top ten finished in today’s fourth stage of Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour. Tiffany maintains her consistent form in what was a tough uphill battle to the finish line in Dörtendorf which features in most edition of the tour.
“The final climb? It hurt. A LOT!” said Tiffany.
“The team rode really well all day. Two in the break with Ella and Lisa was a good situation that took pressure off the team. Today we wanted to for a stage win in a breakaway, or if it didn’t work, then try to move myself up in GC by fighting for a result from the main contenders. We caught the break just as we hit the final climb to the finish.”
“I had Alexis look after me for the final 5km. Together we move well in the bunch and I have full trust in Alexis. I came into the climb in a good position and ready for fireworks.”
“I started strongly matching the first attack and sitting comfortable in second wheel. I was then on the front but I made sure I stayed calm and aware what was happening around me. I knew I had to wait until as late as possible to attack for the line. With 500m to go we hit a steep part and I was able to follow the next attack. The third attack, up the very steepest part, my legs exploded. I tried to follow, but I just couldn’t and my legs were screaming! From there I kept fighting and just tried to hold on to the line and limit my losses.”
“The last 300m felt like the longest 300m I’ve ever done. I really had to fight. In the end, unfortunately I couldn’t manage to get success for the team. If you told me earlier in the season I’d be fighting for the result on an uphill finish I probably would have laughed! Yet, here I am. I’ll keep fighting, the team spirits are good, and we’ll keep taking our opportunities in these last two stages.”
With two stages remaining, Tiffany is seventh on the overall classification +44 seconds behind new leader Lucinda Brand. Ella Harris is third in the mountain classification. Hannah Ludwig and Neve Bradbury are third and fourth respectively in the youth classification.
Stage 5 | Saturday 29 May | 143.3km | Weimar – Weimar | 1 x 95.4km and 1 x 47.9km | 14:00CEST – 18:00CEST
Stage 6 | Sunday 30 May | Gotha | 97.8km | 1 x 70.3km and 1 x 27.5km | 11:00CEST – 13:50CEST
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