After seven grueling days in the saddle, Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank came away from a hilly Tour de l’Ardeche with two podium visits, daily top 10 finishes, and strong rides from the entire team. Veronica Ewers and Emma Langley had standout performances during the week, culminating in an incredible fifth place overall for Ewers and 19th for Langley.
For Ewers and Langley, the results are especially sweet. The Tour de l’Ardeche marks the first time in their racing careers that both riders will have rubbed shoulders with the European peloton.
“This race was definitely a shock to my system,” Ewers said. “I couldn’t have done it with a better team. Lauren (Stephens), Nina (Kessler), Emily (Newsom) and Leah (Dixon) were amazing leaders and guides throughout the stages for both myself and Emma.
“It was awesome to see one of us in the top ten in each stage,” Ewers continued. “I’m frustrated not to have made it onto the GC podium, but I’m proud to have made it in the top ten of GC in my first European stage race. I’m looking forward to improving individually and with the team.”
The closing stage of l’Ardeche was focused on maintaining Ewers’ GC position, a daunting task given the jagged terrain and profile.
“It was pretty much climbing and descending all day,” Hedderman said. “We went into it looking to defend Veronica’s GC’s place, and even move her up on the podium, which we knew was going to be a tough ask, given who was there.”
“The team rode really well,” Hedderman said. “The team was able to hang with the leaders until the top of the climb. Veronica finished the stage in ninth and took fifth overall on GC, so I think it was a pretty good week all around.”