Race Writeup

The race for Stage 5 was started by Mascha Pijnenborg (Het Snelle Wiel),who initially gained 10 seconds out on her own in front of the bunch. She was joined soon afterwards by Ludevine Henrion (DSB Bank) and Sandra Missbach (Getränke Hoffmann). The trio soon built up a 30 seconds gap on the bunch. By the 40km point, they had built their lead up to 50 seconds. Chantal Beltman (T-Mobile) joined the three, just before Pijnenborg dropped off the pace. A few minutes later, the break was back in the peloton.

An almost immediate counterattack was made by Andrea Bosman (DSB Bank), Trixi Worrack (Nürnberger) and Marianne Vos (DSB Bank). This attack was shortlived and didn't really gain any time on the bunch. However, it provided the impetus for a further attack, which included Judith Arndt (T-Mobile), Adrie Visser (DSB Bank), Mirjam Melchers van Poppel (Team Flexpoint), Trixi Worrack, Linda Villumsen (T-Mobile), Giorgia Bronzini (Italy), Sissy van Alebeek (Ton van Bemmelen). The break went back into the bunch after the mountains competition point, which was won by Linda Villumsen.

Although there were several other attempts to breakaway, nothing was allowed to gain any advantage. With 20 kilometres left to race, the bunch was complete. Then, a small group broke away just before the intermediate sprint point. They managed to stay away until the five kilometres to go point. Significantly, the race leader was not in this group, which was still hanging just off the front of the bunch with 10 seconds with 5 kilometres to ride. Emma Johansson (Vlaanderen Caprisonne) was in this group and presented a danger to the GC. The chase was definitely on; with 3 kilometres to the finish, the gap was just 7 seconds and by the time the race entered the final kilometre, it was clear that it was going to be a group sprint. The leaders managed to extend their gap to 16 seconds over the bunch on the line. 

The sprint was won by Martine Bras (Weijers-Hako (Barrhopoort)-(Lotto Belisol)), followed by Charlotte Becker (Équipe Nürnberger) and Emma Johansson (Vlaanderen Caprisonne). 

Marianne Vos (DSB Bank) retained the race lead, whilst Judith Arndt (T-Mobile) stays in second, just 4 seconds down. Emma Johansson (Vlaanderen Caprisonne) moved up from 6th to third, just 9 seconds behind Vos.

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Results - Top 10 - click here to see full result

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General Classification Top 10 - click here to see full GC

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Photos   Click on any image to enlarge >>

 

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