In a riveting final stage of the Tour of Chongming Island, Chiara Consonni of UAE Team ADQ stole the show, seizing both the stage win and the coveted yellow jersey for the General Classification. Edging out competitors Daria Pikulik of Human Powered Health and Martina Fidanza of Ceratizit-WNT in a sprint finish, Consonni also toppled previous GC leader Hanna Tserakh of Li Ning Star Ladies.
Throughout the 112.3-kilometre stage, the peloton stayed largely intact, preventing any successful breakaway attempts. Intermediate sprints played a critical role in the unfolding drama. The first saw a fiercely contested battle between Stage 1 winner Mylène de Zoete of Ceratizit-WNT and Consonni, with de Zoete snatching three bonus seconds to temporarily hold the virtual GC lead. However, Consonni was not to be outdone. In the second intermediate sprint, she crossed the line first, gathering crucial seconds that put her one second ahead of de Zoete in the virtual GC standings.
Despite being boxed in during the third intermediate sprint, won by Maggie Coles-Lyster of Israel-Premier Tech Roland, Consonni kept her composure. A late attack from Jarmila Machačová of Team Dukla Praha provided some excitement but was swiftly neutralised, setting the stage for the final sprint showdown.
Consonni detailed her strategic approach, expressing satisfaction for her team’s collective effort. “I aimed for the three intermediate sprints and managed to take second in the first and win the second,” she said. Adding to the thrill was her foresight into the final sprint, saying, “I knew I had to stay on the right side of the road, I did it very well and managed to win.”
The win marks Consonni’s personal fourth victory of the season and the fourteenth for the UAE Team ADQ women’s squad. It also crowned her the winner of the green points jersey, while Tang Xin retained the white jersey for the U23 classification.
The peloton’s,attention now shifts to the season finale at the Gree-Tour of Guangxi Women’s World Tour, after a well-earned couple of days of rest.
2023 Tour of Chongming Island Stage 3 result
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2023 Tour of Chongming Island Final GC
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