A big fish for WM3 Pro Cycling. Marianne Vos held out in the final stage of the Ladies Tour of Norway and won the general classification. The team excelled and countered every attack on the leader’s jersey. “Marianne wins here, but it is a victory behind everybody’s name”, says DS Jeroen Blijlevens.

The final stage, covering over 158 kilometres, was the longest one the peloton had to devour, and not the easiest one with the unpaved zones and a couple of climbs, hence a possible slower start by the peloton.

The first intermediate sprint was programmed after 16 kilometres. Just like on Saturday, Marianne Vos did not waste any changes to collect bonus points, ensuring the win of the points classification as no one could overtake her after her first place in said sprint.

Control of the stage
Soon after, several riders tried to attack, including Anouska Koster.  It took, however, some time for the peloton to allow a couple of riders to get away.  At around the 85-kilometre mark, Tuslaite, Moe and Hockings forced a gap.

WM3 Pro Cycling positioned itself and controlled the stage from the front of the peloton. When the 3-headed leading group had a lead of over 3 minutes, our riders accelerated in order to be able to manage the gap, resulting in a fast decrease of the lead. 

At the front, Tuslaite had to deal with a mechanical and soon after, only Hockings remained as the only escapee.

An animated final
The peloton was very lively. Several riders tried to make the jump to improve their general classification, such as Blaak and van Dijk. Moniek Tenniglo, Kasia Niewiadoma and Marianne Vos successfully countered each attack.

A thinned-out peloton eventually headed for the finish. Guarnier took the victory, Marianne Vos completed the podium also winning the general classification of the Ladies Tour of Norway, a WorldTour race.

Excellent work
DS Jeroen Blijlevens was very satisfied after the race. “It was a tough and long stage with everyone – logically - racing against us.  The team defended its position in an amazing way. Jeanne Korevaar and Anouska Koster paced the peloton in the middle part of the stage and Moniek and Kasia were outstanding in the final. We will celebrate this victory.”