Juliette Labous clinches French national road race title in dramatic finish

Juliette-Labous-overtakes-Gladys-Verhulst-Wild-at-the-line-to-win-French-womens-road-race

Juliette Labous secured her first elite women’s road race national title in an exciting showdown at Saint-Martin-de-Landelles. Labous, riding for Team dsm-firmenich PostNL, overcame strong competition from FDJ Suez riders Gladys Verhulst-Wild and Jade Wiel in the 125.8-kilometre race.

The race began with a long solo breakaway by 19-year-old Marion Bunel of St Michel-Mavic-Auber93, who held off the peloton for several kilometres before a small group managed to bridge the gap. However, the group’s lack of cooperation led to a general regrouping with just over 30 kilometres remaining. Shortly after, Jade Wiel launched a solo attack, gaining nearly a minute on the reduced peloton.

Cofidis took control of the chase, gradually reducing Wiel’s lead as they approached a steep climb with ten kilometres to go. Cรฉdrine Kerbaol further diminished the gap with a strong effort, making it possible for Labous and Verhulst-Wild to bridge up to Wiel.

On the Cรดte des Biards, six kilometres from the finish, Labous made a decisive move, dropping Wiel. Verhulst-Wild managed to stay with Labous but did not take turns, allowing Wiel to almost rejoin the leaders. However, Labous maintained a high tempo, setting up a two-rider sprint finish. Despite Verhulst-Wild initially appearing to have the upper hand, Labous surged past her rival to claim victory.

Reflecting on her win, Labous said, โ€œToday was the perfect race for me, I would say. In the first part, I didnโ€™t feel so good, but I knew from my trainer that this could happen since I was not fully recovered from Suisse yet, but that I would feel better at the end, which was the case. I think Eglantine and I raced really well tactically, and she went all in to chase down a dangerous move. It came back together, and then it was all up to me. In the end, I bridged to Jade Wiel together with Gladys Verhulst-Wild. This was not an easy situation to handle, but I just kept believing until the end because I knew I could do it and went all out to the finish line. This title means a lot as I am not winning a lot of races, but I am really proud to wear this national jersey when racing with the team in the next races.โ€

Wiel held on to finish third, 14 seconds behind, with ร‰vita Muzic leading the chase group across the line in fourth, 36 seconds back. Last yearโ€™s champion Victoire Berteau finished eighth. The course, featuring a six-lap circuit around Saint-Martin-de-Landelles, saw Labous’s strategic timing and resilience rewarded with the national title.

2024 French National Road Race Championship Women result

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Main photo credit: Loic Venance | Getty Images