After a week of intense battle, the 26th edition of Simac Ladies Tour ended this Sunday, during the 6th stage around the town of Arnhem. And the race has changed, since Franziska Koch (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL) lost their yellow jersey to Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx – Protime), who won this 6th stage and therefore won the general classification.
Video – Barbara Guarischi won the 4th stage on Friday
Cruel for Smulders and Koch
This 6th stage was therefore a sprint… even if the scenario was almost completely different. Indeed, Silke Smulders (Liv AlUla Jayco) escaped alone 40 kilometers from the finish. Despite the work of all the training SD Worx – Protimethe Dutchwoman managed to resist the return of the peloton… up to 20 meters from the line. The enormous work of Lorena Wiebes for her teammate Lotte Kopecky in the final was indeed right to Smulders. Perfectly launched, Hills therefore won on this 6th stage, ahead of an impressive Wiebes. Marthe Truyen (Fenix-Deceuninck) took 3rd place.
Thanks to the 10 seconds of bonuses gleaned upon arrival, Hills passed to the general in front Franziska Koch (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL), which finished 8th. The World Champion, who was 8 seconds behind on the morning of this 6th stage, therefore won this 26th edition by just 2 seconds. The Belgian and the German are accompanied on the final podium by Zoe Backstedt (Canyon//SRAM Racing).