Juliette Labous 6th and Liane Lippert 7th in mountain TT

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Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta

The second day of racing at the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta saw the peloton on closed roads, faced with a tough seven and a half kilometre mountain time trial. The climb could be split into two: with an opening four kilometres at six and a half percent, before a flatter section, followed by a two kilometre ramp that averaged seven percent.

Over the challenging terrain, the team all set strong times with Juliette Labous clocking an effort of 20 minutes and eight seconds, besting teammate Liane Lippert by one place, who completed her run in a time of 20 minutes and 23 seconds. It would see the Team DSM duo end the day in a strong sixth and seventh place respectively. Second-placed finisher from yesterday, Coryn Rivera, also gave her all on the testing slopes and put in a very good effort. As a result, Rivera sits in fourth on GC for the team while Labous and Lippert are ninth and tenth ahead of two challenging stages to come.

“I am very happy with my TT today,” said Labous. “I was following the pacing plan which was going well and felt I had a very good day so I was able to speed up a little bit and I finished with one of my best 20 minute power performances, so I am very satisfied. The shape is there and this is more proof of that, and that gives me extra confidence. Liane also finished just behind me so it also shows she is in very good shape and Coryn is still fourth in GC too so we will keep fighting and hopefully have some exciting stages coming up!”

Team DSM coach Huub Duijn added: “A seven kilometre uphill TT was on the menu today. Juliette and Liane did a really good TT, finishing between the specialists! With Coryn in second place after yesterday, it was also all out for her to protect that place. She gave all she could, and now sits in a fourth place after the TT. With three girls in top ten, we definitely have some cards to play with in the next days.”

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