CONSONNI'S LATE CHARGE EARNS SECOND AT BALOISE

Chiara Consonni launched a somewhat frantic but undeniably explosive kick in the final 50 metres of Stage 1 at the Baloise Ladies Tour, making a strong case for the win, but ultimately coming up just short.

After solid support from Zoe Bäckstedt and Nastya Kolesava in the closing kilometres to position, Chiara latched onto the wheel of main rival and eventual stage winner Charlotte Kool (TPP) with around 300m to go, as Team Picnic PostNL’s lead-out riders peeled off one by one. Kool hit the front with 200m remaining, beginning her sprint, while her final lead-out rider lingered cleverly on Chiara’s left, with the barriers boxing her in on the right.

As the road rose for the final 50m drag up the seaside banking, Chiara finally had space to launch to her left. Although her kick was impressive and she made up ground, the line came just too soon.

Here’s what an upbeat Chiara had to say about how the team’s approach to the 127 kilometre stage, and coming oh so close to her first win in CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto colours.

“I think I was in a really good position behind Kool, but then I was a bit blocked from the Picnic PostNL rider and I think I started the sprint too late. Maybe I was supposed to start earlier, but I’m still happy with my second place.”

“Of course, we tried to keep the race closed [without breakaways] and I think the girls did a really good job. And then, it’s not easy to do a lead out, but I think they really put me in the best position to do my sprint. I don’t have to be afraid to start my sprint early because I’m in good condition after the Giro, so we are really looking forward to the next stages.”

Chiara can indeed take solace in the remaining stages of the Baloise Ladies Tour, which offer the potential for three more sprint opportunities – starting tomorrow. Although the route features more elevation than today’s very flat affair, the climbs are short and punchy, initially retracing familiar roads often seen in the spring classic Nokere Koerse. The final 55km unfold on a flat 10km circuit that includes a dash of cobbles. With minimal wind forecast, another big sprint scenario appears set to unfold.

In addition to today’s second place, Chiara now sits second in the points classification. Zoe continues to lead the youth classification by four seconds over Schreiber (SDW) and is second overall, eight seconds behind Kool, after holding the GC lead following her prologue victory.

HOW TO FOLLOW 

Stage 2 | Friday, July 18 | Zulte – Zulte | 127km | 622m elevation | Start: 14:00 – Fastest finish: 17:15 CET. LIVE from 15:45.

Stage 3a | Saturday, July 19 | Maldegem – Maldegem | 87.4km | 259m elevation | Start: 10:45 – Fastest finish: 13:11 CET. LIVE from 11:45.

Stage 3b | Saturday, July 19 | Maldegem – Maldegem | 10.6km (TT) | 15m elevation | Start: 17:30 – Fastest finish: 20:34 CET. LIVE from 18:50.

Stage 4 | Sunday, July 20 | Zwevegem – Zwevegem | 127.2km | 923m elevation | Start: 14:00 – Fastest finish: 17:34 CET. LIVE from 15:45.

Live coverage is available on Eurosport, Discovery Plus, TNT Sports and the Pickx livestream. Stay updated on X with #BaloiseLT25, and follow CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto’s social channels for the latest team news.