Young British Cervélo rider wins another

Lizzie Armitstead (Cervélo TestTeam) won the fourth stage of the Tour de l’Ardeche between Saint Sauveur de Montagut and Cruas. The 21-year-old outsprited an elite breakaway group to take her second victory in succession; Christel Ferrier Bruneau (France) was second and Grace Verbeke (Lotto Ladies) was third at the end of the 129km stage.

“In the final 5 km today there was seven of us including Carla [Ryan], Sharon [Laws] and myself,” said Armitstead afterwards. “Carla worked hard for the last 5 km at the front while Sharon watched the leaders allowing me to get into a good position for the sprint. Grace Verbeke started the sprint and I won it. The team was outstanding today and worked very hard and I really thank them.”

The toughest stage of the race so far crossed four categorised climbs; the start was delayed slightly as it was to use some of the same roads as the men’s Tour de l’Avenir. When the race did get under way third-placed rider overall Ruth Corset (Australia) put in an attack.

The Lotto Ladies team of race leader Vicki Whitelaw refused to let the Australian champion get away though, and a group of seven riders pulled away from he peloton. The group was made up of Whitelaw and Lotto teammate Verbeke, Cervélo teammates Armitstead, Ryan and Laws, Corset and Christel Ferrier-Bruneau of France.

In the finishing straight Verbeke was the first to start her sprint but Armitstead was able to come around her to win by more than a bike length. Ferrier-Bruneau also managed to edge past the Belgian just before the line.

Laws was gapped slightly in the finale, losing 3 seconds to Whitelaw so the Australian now leads the race by 4 seconds; Ludovine Henrion (Belgium) led the peloton home after 2’29”

Result stage 4
1. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervélo TestTeam
2. Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (Fra) French National Team
3. Grace Verbeke (Bel) Lotto Ladies Team
4. Ruth Corset (Aus) Australian National Team
5. Vicki Whitelaw (Aus) Lotto Ladies Team
6. Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervélo TestTeam @ 3s
7. Carla Ryan (Aus) Cervélo TestTeam @ 8s
8. Ludovine Henrion (Bel) Belgian National Team @ 2’29”
9. Jennifer Hohl (Swi) Swiss National Team
10. Christine Majerus (Lux) ESGL 93-GSD Gestion

Standings after 4
1. Vicki Whitelaw (Aus) Lotto Ladies Team
2. Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervélo TestTeam @ 4s
3. Ruth Corset (Aus) Australian National Team @ 1’29”
4. Lizzie Armitstead (GBr) Cervélo TestTeam @ 1’33”
5. Grace Verbeke (Bel) Lotto Ladies Team @ 1’43”