Gallery: La Course by Le Tour de France 2020

Gallery: La Course by Le Tour de France 2020


PHOTOS: SWPIX/ASO

There were some, including a certain rider who may or may not spend most of her time in a somewhat striking rainbow striped outfit, who had expressed the view that the parcours for this race was not befitting of the Women's WorldTour. In response others, who may or may not include the rider who triumphed today, suggested that the aforementioned individual was merely grumbling because the course was ill-suited to her particular strengths.

Who are we to say which of the two positions was correct? Well, as it happens, we're the world's finest cycling magazine, and we certainly know a good bike race when we watch one.

In the end, while the route was, not the most objectively challenging, there was enough in it to cause a shuffling of the pack. When the racing got going good and proper, it was half a dozen of the Women's WorldTour's finest who managed to separate themselves from the rest. They represented a variety of of different types of rider. Only two were from the same team. 

And it was that team - Trek-Segafredo, in case you haven't figured it out yet - which managed to make their margin count.

With neither Côte de Rimiez nor the subsequent, shallower climb up to Aspremont enough to reduce the six down to, well, less than six, once the group arrived back on Nice's Promenade des Anglais, unless one last dart could break the group apart, the sprint finish looked nailed on. AVV tried - and failed - for the final time; neither Kasia Niewiadoma not Demi Vollering had anything left in their legs; Vos and Deignan wanted to go heads-up; Longo-Borghini, more of a diesel, was all in for Deignan.

(That, by the way, reminds me to ask if we can please issue a temporary moratorium on the phrase "cat and mouse tactics"? Maybe play with poker metaphors for a while? No? Okay.)

Lizzie Deignan found herself on the front, with everyone looking at her. She needed her team-mate to do her thing. The Italian duly delivered, going from the back and forcing Vos to follow. Last year's winner looked to have stolen a march on the British rider but there was more road left, and Deignan was able to come back at her, stealing it on the line with an impeccably executed lunge. 

Hell of a race.

La Course

La Course

La Course

La Course

 

La Course

La Course

La Course

La Course

La Course

La Course

La Course

La Course

La Course


READ MORE

Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes 2025 Preview - Can Demi Vollering finally get her win?

Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes 2025 Preview - Can Demi Vollering finally get her win?

The last round of Ardennes week is the toughest challenge yet – who will come out on top?

Leggi di più
My ongoing three-year battle with cancer, by Lidl-Trek manager Luca Guercilena

My ongoing three-year battle with cancer, by Lidl-Trek manager Luca Guercilena

Lidl-Trek manager Luca Guercilena was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the autumn of 2021 aged 48, an aggressive but treatable type of chronic cancer. For...

Leggi di più
‘I listened to my DS for a change’ - Perseverance has finally paid off for Puck Pieterse

‘I listened to my DS for a change’ - Perseverance has finally paid off for Puck Pieterse

Fenix-Deceuninck rider claims her first Classics win at La Flèche Wallonne

Leggi di più
Has order been restored? Tadej Pogačar is the King of Huy

Has order been restored? Tadej Pogačar is the King of Huy

No one could come close to the world champion when he attacked on the final climb of La Flèche Wallonne- what does this mean for...

Leggi di più
La Flèche Wallonne preview 2025 - Will Mur de Huy serve up another vintage Ardennes showdown?

La Flèche Wallonne preview 2025 - Will Mur de Huy serve up another vintage Ardennes showdown?

Pogačar, Evenepoel and Skjelmose all set to tackle the second Ardennes Classic

Leggi di più
La Flèche Wallonne Femmes 2025 preview - Can the favourites regain control over the Ardennes?

La Flèche Wallonne Femmes 2025 preview - Can the favourites regain control over the Ardennes?

After an unpredictable Amstel Gold Race last weekend, the likes of Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma will be keen to make amends in this mid-week...

Leggi di più

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE