Noemi Rüegg started her season perfectly. The Zurich native won the Tour Down Under as the women’s World Tour kicked off in Australia.
A day after his first stage victory at the highest level, Rüegg won the general classification by one round for the first time in his career. The 23-year-old from the EF Education-Cannondale team repelled all attacks from her opponents during the final stage and even sprinted for 3rd place at the end of the final 105.9 km stage, won by the double time trial world champion, the American Chloé Dygert, around Stirling.
‘It was a challenge today,’ Rüegg said at the finish. I was very nervous all day because I absolutely wanted to bring home the leader’s jersey. I am extremely happy that I did it. I know now that I did the right things in winter. I can build on this.’
Rüegg won in the end with 13 seconds ahead of the Dutchwoman Silke Smulders. Geneva’s Elise Chabbey moved up two ranks thanks to a bonus to take 5th place.
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Swiss
