Identical to the yr earlier than, Mylène de Zoete (Ceratizit-WNT) gained the opening stage of the Tour of Chongming Island, beating Tereza Neumanová (UAE Workforce ADQ) within the mass dash. After her teammate Marta Lach launched a late assault, De Zoete sat on the wheel of eventual runner-up Neumanová.
“I misplaced the women simply earlier than the final nook, it was chaotic, as all the time, then I noticed Marta up forward within the assault and thought ‘okay, that’s good’, De Zoete advised Cyclingnews.
“I simply adopted this wheel in entrance of me, as a result of I used to be fairly well-positioned in entrance. We caught Marta within the final 300 metres, I feel, after which I began sprinting.”
Earlier within the race, Ceratizit-WNT had been very profitable within the day’s two intermediate sprints – however as a substitute of gathering bonus seconds for only one rider, that they had De Zoete, Lach, and Kathrin Schweinberger all take time bonifications.
“It was the plan to dash for the bonus seconds with a number of women as a result of we’re all quick, and all of us needed to see how we might do in these sprints. We truly helped one another properly doing it, that was good, and all of us obtained some seconds,” defined De Zoete.
For the 2 upcoming phases, the group’s technique will likely be ‘don’t change a successful tactic’.
“I feel tomorrow [Wednesday] we’ll do the identical as at this time, additionally for the intermediate sprints, however once more with a number of women, most likely, after which dash for the stage as properly,” De Zoete completed.
Neumanová was main the dash till the ultimate 25 metres when De Zoete got here previous. The 26-year-old Czech had a difficult 2024 season with a number of accidents, and the second place is her finest results of the yr to date.
“I’m very pleased with this podium as a result of it’s been a tough season for me, with bodily issues inflicting quite a lot of stress. To be on the rostrum at this time is absolutely rewarding. The win was very shut, and whereas it is a bit disappointing to not have taken it, I feel we might be pleased with our efficiency,” she mentioned.
“We’re right here with a small group, simply 4 riders, we plan to make use of different groups in finale and gamble a bit. We tried to go for intermediate sprints with Eleonora Gasparrini, however not with the entire group. And when different groups centered on it, it was fairly onerous.”
“I had wonderful assist from my teammates, and once you belief one another, it all the time works properly. Eleonora did nice work for me within the closing kilometre, and I knew on the highest of the bridge, when she went out, I wanted to begin my dash so I would not lose the momentum of pace. Sadly, we have been lacking a bit for the win. However we’ll attempt once more tomorrow,” added Neumanová.
