Sharon Laws (Cervélo TestTeam) won the first stage of the Tour de l’Ardeche between Le Pouzin and Beauchastel. The British rider outsprinted breakaway companion Vicki Whitelaw (Lotto Ladies) at the end of the 113.2km stage to take her first victory of the season. Laws’ Cervélo teammate and compatriot Lizzie Armitstead won the bunch sprint for third, 1’41” behind.
“My legs where good today,” said Laws after the stage. “I felt that I was stronger than Vicki, as she mostly followed in my wheel and I was able to beat her in the sprint.
“I have to say thanks to the team,” she continued, “today we were the smartest and strongest team. I will try to keep leader’s jersey as long as possible on my shoulders, and we have a lot of other options in the team. I have had some bad luck this year, I broke my collarbone in the Giro and didn’t race for a long time, so this is very gratifying.”
The first major attack came from Amanda Spratt (Australia), but she was chased down by the Cervélo TestTeam. Laws attacked almost immediately, taking Whitelaw with her, and with Lotto Ladies and Cervélo two of the strongest teams in the race, the duo managed to build a considerable advantage.
Laws managed to beat Whitelaw in the sprint, to take the first UCI registered race of her career, and Armitstead outsprinted Whitelaw’s teammate, Ronde van Vlaanderen winner Grace Verbeke to take third.
Result stage 1
1. Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervélo TestTeam
2. Vicki Whitelaw (Aus) Lotto Ladies Team
3. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervélo TestTeam @ 1’41”
4. Grace Verbeke (Bel) Lotto Ladies Team
5. Vilija Sereikaite (Ltu) Lithuanian National Team
6. Ludovine Henrion (Bel) Belgian National Team
7. Christine Majerus (Lux) ESGL 93-GSD Gestion
8. Emilie Moberg (Nor) Norwegian National Team
9. Ausrine Trebaite (Ltu) Lithuanian National Team
10. Sanne Cant (Bel) Belgian National Team
Standings after stage 1
1. Sharon Laws (GBr) Cervélo TestTeam
2. Vicki Whitelaw (Aus) Lotto Ladies Team
3. Elizabeth Armitstead (GBr) Cervélo TestTeam @ 1’41”
4. Grace Verbeke (Bel) Lotto Ladies Team
5. Vilija Sereikaite (Ltu) Lithuanian National Team