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Consecutive solo breakaway winners at the Tour de France Femmes

Thursday's top Canadian is Clara Emond

July 27, 2023
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For the third consecutive stage of the Tour de France Femmes, Thursday’s storyline was solo rider versus the peloton. The day after Yara Kastelijn soloed to victory, German Ricarda Bauernfeind outgunned the field to earn the day’s flowers. Lotte Kopecky finished fourth and retained her yellow jersey. Clara Emond was the top Canadian in 24th.

The Course

The parcours on Thursday began with a long lumpy section from Onet-le-Château. At the 75-km mark the first of three climbs in quick succession began. The final six kilometres were flat. It was another hot day.

Stage 3 winner Lorena Wiebes didn’t start Stage 5 due to stomach issues.

Two Canadians jumped out in the first breakaway of the day. Olivia Baril and Clara Emond were part of an 11-rider move.

Unfortunately, another Canadian, Gabrielle Pilote Fortin, climbed off her bike just after the 40-km mark.

Pilote Fortin just before her abandonment.

The pace was very hot, 45 km/h after 58 km, and the peloton split in its effort to keep the Baril-Emond breakaway within arm’s length. The fugitives were hauled back on the first categorized climb, Cat. 3 Côte de Najac. Wednesday’s victor Yara Kastelijn took the maximum QOM points to draw level with the polka dot-clad Anouska Koster.

Two hours into the stage, the 41 km/h pace had whittled down the peloton. Kastelijn was still there, claiming the QOM lead on the road by topping Cat. 3 Côte de Laguépie first.

Between Climbs 2 and 3 was the intermediate sprint with bonus seconds on offer. Two riders spurted out from the field and made sure that Ashleigh Moolman would be the only GC contender who picked up seconds. Bauernfeind dropped her breakmate and carried on solo heading towards the final climb.

After Côte de Monestiés the main plot point was Bauernfeind vs the Peloton. Marlen Reusser powered the field for SD Worx-Protime. A 37-second gap with 8 km remaining was in favour of the pack.

Reusser and Stage 2 winner Liane Lippert went clear of the peloton in pursuit. The Canyon-SRAM German wouldn’t be denied becoming the youngest ever winner of the TdFF.

Despite four Cat. 4 ascents in 122 km, Friday should be one for the sprinters.

2023 Tour de France Femmes Stage 5
1) Ricarda Bauernfeind (Germany/Canyon-SRAM) 3:07:20
2) Marlen Reusser (Switzerland/SD Worx-Protime) +0:22
3) Liane Lippert (Germany/Movistar) s.t.
24) Clara Emond (Canada/Arkéa +0:32

2023 Tour de France Femmes GC
1) Lotte Kopecky (Belgium/SD Worx-Protime) 18:47:25
2) Ashleigh Moolman (South Africa/AG-Soudal Quick-Step) +0:49
3) Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy/Lidl-Trek) +0:51