Marion Bunel secured a commanding victory in the final stage of the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes, sealing her overall win with a dominant performance on the gruelling slopes of the Colle delle Finestre. The 19-year-old French rider, who had worn the leader’s jersey since the second stage, delivered a solo triumph that also confirmed her as the winner of the general classification.
Starting the day with the yellow jersey, Bunel was well aware of the challenges that lay ahead, particularly the steep gravel sections of the Finestre. “I dreamt about this last night,” she admitted after the race, speaking to DirectVelo. “Since yesterday evening, it’s all that’s been on my mind. I was really anxious, but I managed to handle it. I know why I ride – I just didn’t want to lose today.”
The day began relatively quietly as the peloton stayed together through the early descent towards the Colletta di Cumiana. It wasn’t until the race hit the base of the Colletta that things began to heat up. A select group of ten riders, including Bodine Vollering and Fariba Hashimi, managed to break away during the descent, quickly gaining a minute and a half on the chasing pack. With Hashimi sitting ninth in the general classification, her presence at the front put the pressure on the main field.
As the breakaway group tackled the final climb, Hashimi launched a powerful attack, pulling away with Titia Ryo and Romina Hinojas Cruz. The trio worked well together, extending their lead to two minutes, putting Hashimi in a near-virtual lead. However, Bunel, recognising the threat, decided it was time to make her move.
Accompanied by her closest rival, Isabella Holmgren, and a small group that included Eline Jansen and Spanish riders Laura Blasi and Eneritz Vadillo, Bunel began to reel in the breakaway. As they reached the gravel section, Bunel unleashed a decisive acceleration, quickly catching and dropping the leaders. “At the start of the gravel, I let loose,” she recounted. “I didn’t attack aggressively but gradually increased the pace. I felt comfortable on the gravel, focused on my lines. I wanted to be at the front, dictating my own trajectory.”
Bunel’s relentless pace on the gravel saw her cross the finish line with a comfortable margin of around two minutes, celebrating with the flag of Normandy, a symbol handed to her by her coach in the final metres. Behind her, Holmgren held on for second place, both in the stage and overall standings, while Vadillo, who had stayed attentive throughout the final climb, secured third place in the general classification.
Reflecting on her victory and the support she received, Bunel said, “It’s incredible. I had immense support from my entire team, I don’t know how to thank them. They set a strong pace from the start of the climb, just as I asked. The jersey is as much theirs as it is mine.”
As the curtain closed on the second edition of the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes, Bunel’s thoughts turned to the future. “My dream is cycling,” she shared. “I hope to have a long career, inspired by riders like Annemiek van Vleuten and Marianne Vos. Realising this victory motivates me even more, and I believe that anything is possible.”
2024 Tour de l’Avenir Stage 3 result
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2024 Tour de l’Avenir GC result
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Main photo credit: Lewis Catel
