Kirchmann fights way onto podium of Ladies Tour of Norway

Leah Kirchmann battled her way onto the final podium of the World Tour Ladies Tour of Norway this weekend, with Marianne Vos (The Netherlands/CCC) taking both the title and the lead of the World Tour after three straight stage wins. Kirchmann vaulted onto the podium on Saturday by finishing fourth on the short, steep climb to Halden and then nailed down her third spot with seventh place on Sunday.

Not only did Vos, the Greatest Female Rider of All Time, win the last three of four stages of the 2019 edition, she took all four stages last season. Vos assumes the World Tour lead from compatriot Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-Scott). Last season Vos was leading the World Tour late when she gave up the road to prepare for the cyclocross season and van Vleuten earned the title. Vos leads van Vleuten by 100 World Tour points with four events remaining.

New #UCIWWT leader … who else but @marianne_vos (@CCCLivTeam). Unlike last year, #LTON19 was well informed and ready to handle the purple jersey to her ? pic.twitter.com/CujDb979pq

— Yolanda Álvarez (@Babelia1) August 25, 2019

Kirchmann jumps up to 14th in the World Tour individual rankings from 17th. Her American teammate Coryn Rivera was second place in Norway and is up to 18th in the World Tour. Sunweb took the team classification competition in Norway.

#LTON19 @TeamSunweb best team of the race with a great aggressive racing the 4 days. Top moment when Koch was assisted by far more experienced @CorynRivera on opening the champagne ? #UCIWWT pic.twitter.com/3PT9ZH56K1

— Yolanda Álvarez (@Babelia1) August 25, 2019

2019 Ladies Tour of Norway Final GC
1) Marianne Vos (The Netherlands/CCC) 13:52:14
2) Coryn Rivera (USA/Sunweb) +0:29
3) Leah Kirchmann (Canada/Sunweb) +0:41
4) Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland/Canyon-SRAM) s.t.