The fifth stage of the Women`s Tour was the hardest one of this week with several hills and finish on the Black Mountain.
Several riders tried their luck in the first kilometres of the stage. After 15 kilometres there was a first climb, followed by another one within a few kilometres. Thalita de Jong tried to get in the breakaway a few times, but the peloton didn`t let her groups go. De Jong tried again after the first climbs and this time she had more luck. The Liv Racing Xstra rider got in a group of 12 riders which took a two minute advantage. At 12 km from the final climb the group with De Jong was caught.
“It was a nice stage and it felt good to be active in the front all day. It was too bad we didn`t gain more advantage on the peloton, but in the end I am satisfied with today. Once we got caught I tried to hang on for as long as I could, but at 3 kilometres to go I dropped and rode the final kilometres on my own tempo”, De Jong told after the stage.
On the Black Mountain Quinty Ton took over the reigns of De Jong and put down a great effort. She just finished outside the top-10 in a 14th position, only 24 seconds behind stage winner Elisa Longo Borghini. In the GC Ton moved up to a 13th place. “It was full gas all day and it was great that Thalita was in the breakaway. Half way the stage I ended up in a ‘chasse patate’, so I decided to wait for the bunch. With help of Tereza and Thalita I managed to position well for the final climb. Due to the high tempo and the head wind it was hard until the top. I really looked forward to this stage and I am happy with my best World Tour result ever. Only one day to go now”, said Ton.