Awen Roberts has once again demonstrated her potential and power with two 15th placings for CANYON//SRAM Generation on the final two stages of the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche.

In only her first year out of the junior ranks, 19-year-old Awen gradually revealed her strength while others faded, culminating in two excellent performances at the latter end of the six-day tour.

“I’m happy with my first Tour de l’Ardéche and learnt a great deal. I felt better and stronger as the week went on, and I’m proud of my performance and how I helped my teammates during the week.”

Stage five of the Tour de l’Ardéche was deemed the most challenging and most decisive of the tour. Over 2300m of elevation was crammed into 104km, including finishing the iconic 5km Mont Lozére climb.

The sixth stage was a short but intense 80km with over 1200m of elevation. A punchy 500m climb in the Ardéche regional capital of Privas brought riders to the finish of the stage and also the tour.

Against more experienced and recognised riders, the Welsh teenager displayed maturity in the way that she rode, and resilience against the high physical and mental load of the tour. Finishing up two very different types of climbs, Awen measured her efforts, focussed on riding to her strengths, and ultimately achieved two great results.

“The last two stages were hard, and I was very pleased that I was able to ride strongly with the front group over the climbs”.
This isn’t the first time that Awen has shown an upward trajectory despite the load because her best performance at the six-day Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour in June also came on the final stage when fatigue had built.

“I can take a lot of confidence from this race and I hope to apply it to my race next week in Spain.”

Awen and CANYON//SRAM Generation will next be lining up at the Pionera Race, a UCI 1.2 category event in the hills of the Valencia region in Spain.

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