A tough battle to the finish climb of stage 4

Tiffany Cromwell had yet another top ten finished in todayโ€™s fourth stage of Lotto Thรผringen Ladies Tour. Tiffany maintains her consistent form in what was a tough uphill battle to the finish line in Dรถrtendorf which features in most edition of the tour. 

โ€œThe final climb? It hurt. A LOT!โ€ said Tiffany.

โ€œThe 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 didnโ€™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.โ€

โ€œI 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.โ€

โ€œI 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 couldnโ€™t and my legs were screaming! From there I kept fighting and just tried to hold on to the line and limit my losses.โ€ 

โ€œThe last 300m felt like the longest 300m Iโ€™ve ever done. I really had to fight. In the end, unfortunately I couldnโ€™t manage to get success for the team. If you told me earlier in the season Iโ€™d be fighting for the result on an uphill finish I probably would have laughed! Yet, here I am. Iโ€™ll keep fighting, the team spirits are good, and weโ€™ll keep taking our opportunities in these last two stages.โ€

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 โ€“ Weimar | 1 x 95.4km and 1 x 47.9km | 14:00CEST โ€“ 18:00CEST

Stage 6 | Sunday 30 May | Gotha | 97.8km | 1 x 70.3km and 1 x 27.5km | 11:00CEST โ€“ 13:50CEST

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Mathew Mitchell
Mathew Mitchellhttp://procyclinguk.com
My name is Mathew Mitchell, 30-something from Staffordshire, UK. Over the last few years, I've got more and more into cycling, from the first innocent Sportive events to Audaxes, Go-Races, British Cycling racing, Time Trials and now Cyclocross.

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