THE DANISH CHAMPION CONTINUES TO SURPRISE, ATTACKS AND STAYS WITH THE BEST CLIMBERS ON THE FIRST DAY OF LONG ASCENTS IN GERMANY, WHERE ONLY BRAND (TFS) WAS ABLE TO ANTICIPATE THE MOVE FROM THE ‘ROCKET’.
Emma Norsgaard (Movistar Team) climbed a march in her aspirations at the 2021 Tour of Thuringen and was able to hold on to the best, and outperform almost all of them, on the first day with long ascents of the event, this Thursday, in the 3rd stage around Schleiz (116 km).
Only world cyclocross champion Lucinda Brand (TFS), who got away on the final stretch with Liane Lippert (DSM), was able to beat the Danish girl in the Telephone Squad, 2nd, she kept her yellow despite it being a stage where she could begin to be expected to falter.
Emma ran calmly to the last few miles, well covered by Guarischi, Teruel (pulling the peloton), Oyarbide, Gutierrez (squeezing on the climbs) and Biannic (last guide and help in close breaks) in some very neat work by the ‘blues’. Norsgaard thus made the selection on the toughest climbs, with a group of just 25 riders in front – they ended up being a dozen at the finish line – and even moved alongside Brand, Cordon Ragot (TFS) and Lippert.
Neutralised by the group, Emma prevailed with authority in the group’s sprint and retained her position – now 6″ advantage – Brand’s made a small gain. Tomorrow Friday will be the great ‘fire test’, the queen stage in Germany, with the four ascents to Hanka-berg (1200m to 8%) on the circuit of D’rtendorf (101 km).
Cover image (c): Arne Mill / Photo Gomez Sport