{"id":2086937,"date":"2026-08-09T20:46:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T17:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2086937"},"modified":"2026-08-09T20:46:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T17:46:11","slug":"the-road-was-always-going-to-do-the-talking-how-uae-team-limad-blocked-out-the-noise-to-deliver-elisa-longo-borghini-to-tour-de-france-femmes-podium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2086937","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;The road was always going to do the talking&#8217; \u2013 How UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD blocked out the noise to deliver Elisa Longo Borghini to Tour de France Femmes podium"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-2100-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QD3q7s5hviXqumft5i8buM-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QD3q7s5hviXqumft5i8buM-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Mont Ventoux inspires a historic solo win and shakes-up the 2026 Tour de France Femmes GC battle\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTw6GTYP6AggWLv9DvSXqh-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTw6GTYP6AggWLv9DvSXqh-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: GC riders battle it out as race lead changes yet again on Tour de France Femmes stage 8\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4iFkHU65cMLh4S8iMhfQLS-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: The favourites take control in final stage of the Tour de France Femmes\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;The road was always going to do the talking&#8217; \u2013 How UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD blocked out the noise to deliver Elisa Longo Borghini to Tour de France Femmes podium<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-09T20:46:11Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><span class=\"vds-read-time flex items-center gap-1 leading-none text-primary-500\"><br \/>\n6 min read<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Team concluded the race with three riders in the GC top 10 plus victory in the team classification<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">UAE Team l&#8217;IMAD won the teams classification in the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-2b6cf68c-9430-11f1-9247-c9b6e76da656\">UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD had plenty of reason to celebrate come the conclusion of the Tour de France Femmes in Nice, as the team finished the race with Elisa Longo Borghini on the podium, two more riders in the top 10, and the team prize to boot.<\/p>\n<p>While the Tour had started with questions from the outside over their leadership strategy, their plan clearly paid off. Longo Borghini finished with a career-best third place after previous attempts were ended by illnesses and a pre-race crash. La Vuelta Femenina winner Paula Blasi raced to fifth in her debut Tour, while Dominika W\u0142odarczyk, fourth last summer, finished seventh.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2b6cf68c-9430-11f1-9247-c9b6e76da656-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If there was ever any tension in the squad to begin with, there certainly wasn&#8217;t at the conclusion of the final stage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Big result. We&#8217;re really, really proud of Elisa, proud of Paula, proud of Dominika, proud of Silvia \u2013 I mean all the girls,&#8221; team directeur sportif Cherie Pridham told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> outside the team bus in Nice.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was just an incredible week that we had to manage. There was a lot of noise from the media, but to finish third on the podium, second on the stage podium today, and then win the team classification pretty much from the start \u2013 it&#8217;s a dream.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Despite &#8216;all the noise&#8217;, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD&#8217;s multi-leader approach working but Mont Ventoux could change everything at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think other teams know our strategy&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD start Tour de France Femmes with strength in depth and Longo Borghini and Blasi at the helm<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It just became a massive ball of stress&#8217; \u2013 Paula Blasi and UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD united on Mont Ventoux after challenging week at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We said from the start that we just need to believe in the process. The road was always going to do the talking, but we kept our line, and the girls executed a professional job.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The role of Paula Blasi, one of the breakthrough riders of the season following her Amstel Gold Race and Vuelta triumphs, was the centre of questions as the race kicked off in Lausanne. The Spaniard insisted she wasn&#8217;t a co-leader in France, but how could a rider of her ability be consigned to a support role?<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ZAZ6xyUZdA2U3yzcT7ZTj9\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ZAZ6xyUZdA2U3yzcT7ZTj9 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think cycling sometimes is like that. If you have a plan, even though maybe it may feel strange, you have to accept it and go for it,&#8221; Blasi told the assembled media at the finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But even though I was like, &#8216;Oh, maybe I&#8217;m not really doing the right thing,&#8217; you always try to trust in the team. Also, sometimes even if you have a clear leader, maybe she cannot have the best day, and things can change on the road, and you have to adapt a bit.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So that&#8217;s what we did, but in the end, I think we had a clear tactic, and we proved that even though we can have any tactic, we just commit to it. That&#8217;s what we did, so I can say I&#8217;m pretty happy about it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We&#8217;re all really united&#8217;\u00a0\u2013\u00a0After much speculation, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD confirm dual leadership strategy at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Is there Tour de France Femmes tension brewing at UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I did a decent race, I can&#8217;t complain&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini underlines team collaboration after outpowering Tour de France Femmes race leader Marlen Reusser for third on Ventoux<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi and Longo Borghini worked together on the race&#8217;s queen stage up Mont Ventoux, with the Italian surging to third on the stage and laying the base for a final weekend which would see her jump onto the podium.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After the stage, she admitted that the leadership talk had taken its toll on her, saying, &#8220;We&#8217;re cyclists, but we&#8217;re humans too, aren&#8217;t we? And it just became a massive ball of stress.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi said in Nice that she and the team managed to block things out and focus on the race and their own tactics.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We all knew what was going on in the media, and we spoke about it. We were like, &#8216;We know all the blah blah blah around.&#8217; But also, we are a team quite honest with everyone.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We were like, &#8216;This is the tactic. We go for it, we commit, and then if in the climbs we have to change, we will change.&#8217; &#8220;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"i-never-stopped-believing-that-i-could-stand-on-the-podium-in-nice-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;I never stopped believing that I could stand on the podium in Nice&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-33b25f98-9431-11f1-9eb1-bfd7c1e6c16b\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Dominka W\u0142odarczyk and Elisa Longo Borghini race towards top 10 GC finishes during the final stage in Nice <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-38ebdd6e-9430-11f1-b6ba-b398251d906f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Longo Borghini admitted that UAE&#8217;s eventual triple leader strategy invited questions, but reiterated her earlier point that riders are all humans who are affected by such rumours and speculation.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think we showed that we raced well and smart. It was questionable, for sure, having three leaders, and I understand the journalists have to do their job and their work, and I respect that 100%. But sometimes there is too much speculation, and as I said, it hurts people because behind an athlete there is a person \u2013 a girl, a woman,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We do suffer a little bit sometimes when we read some silly stuff, let&#8217;s say. Sometimes I just think we should think twice before writing things down.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We showed that we could work very well today. In the end, Paula was working for me, and I was working for her until I punctured for the sprint, because she&#8217;s super fast and I wanted to give her a chance to be second in a stage in the Tour de France. We went all in, and we showed we were strong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi took that chance and finished second in Nice as Vollering soloed home to take the second yellow jersey of her career.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Longo Borghini ended the day in seventh, a handful of seconds back after a late puncture, ready to celebrate third place \u2013 a result built on consistent racing \u2013 barring that single off day in the Jura on stage 5, and keeping the belief, even when she lay 2:20 off third place following Ventoux.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I never stopped believing that I could stand on the podium in Nice, and I kept telling myself that the Tour would finish in Nice,&#8221; she said in the post-race press conference.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve been scratching seconds here and there every single day after the bad luck on the time trial and after Stage 5, and today it paid off. So, I still have to realise it, but I can say that I&#8217;m proud.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Longo Borghini said the result was &#8220;definitely one of the highlights of my career so far&#8221;, the third place a &#8220;cherry on the cake&#8221; of nine hard days of racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;d remain on the podium to celebrate with her full team, too, including the revelation of last year&#8217;s Tour, Ma\u00ebva Squiban, who was more than happy to assume a domestique role when it brought such results.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Our goal was to put one girl on the podium, and we did it. We also won the team classification,&#8221; Squiban told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s nice because all the girls can be on the podium, not only the winner or the leader. Everyone was happy to be on the podium, including the sports directors. We&#8217;re happy with this Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-45fa1966-9431-11f1-94d8-97299ee117ce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong>. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong> app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Teams &amp; Riders<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-ZAZ6xyUZdA2U3yzcT7ZTj9\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-ZAZ6xyUZdA2U3yzcT7ZTj9 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Dani Ostanek<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro L\u00e9on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Despite &#8216;all the noise&#8217;, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD&#8217;s multi-leader approach working but Mont Ventoux could change everything at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think other teams know our strategy&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD start Tour de France Femmes with strength in depth and Longo Borghini and Blasi at the helm<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It just became a massive ball of stress&#8217; \u2013 Paula Blasi and UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD united on Mont Ventoux after challenging week at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;re all really united&#8217;\u00a0\u2013\u00a0After much speculation, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD confirm dual leadership strategy at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Is there Tour de France Femmes tension brewing at UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I did a decent race, I can&#8217;t complain&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini underlines team collaboration after outpowering Tour de France Femmes race leader Marlen Reusser for third on Ventoux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I felt stronger than in any other editions&#8217; \u2013 Why Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney can celebrate second at the Tour de France Femmes as much as her 2024 win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We can only lose it if we had it first&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France Femmes ends in tears for Marlen Reusser as she crashes off of podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I just want to sleep for a week&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini lands Tour de France Femmes podium on final stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Demi just motivates me to get stronger&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma already hungry for another tilt at the Tour de France Femmes yellow jersey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Marlen Reusser dropped then crashes on descent as Tour de France Femmes podium hopes likely dashed on final stage in Nice<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not that I make things up&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney stands by FDJ United-Suez frustrations at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I felt stronger than in any other editions&#8217; \u2013 Why Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney can celebrate second at the Tour de France Femmes as much as her 2024 win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We can only lose it if we had it first&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France Femmes ends in tears for Marlen Reusser as she crashes off of podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I just want to sleep for a week&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini lands Tour de France Femmes podium on final stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Demi just motivates me to get stronger&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma already hungry for another tilt at the Tour de France Femmes yellow jersey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Marlen Reusser dropped then crashes on descent as Tour de France Femmes podium hopes likely dashed on final stage in Nice<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not that I make things up&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney stands by FDJ United-Suez frustrations at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;The road was always going to do the talking&#8217; \u2013 How UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD blocked out the noise to deliver Elisa Longo Borghini to the Tour de France Femmes podium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I felt stronger than in any other editions&#8217; \u2013 Why Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney can celebrate second at the Tour de France Femmes as much as her 2024 win<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Volta a Portugal: Double success for Alexis Guerin who takes over race lead after stage 4<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We can only lose it if we had it first&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France Femmes ends in tears for Marlen Reusser as she crashes off of podium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I just want to sleep for a week&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini lands Tour de France Femmes podium on final stage<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;The road was always going to do the talking&#8217; \u2013 How UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD blocked out the noise to deliver Elisa Longo Borghini to Tour de France Femmes podium<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-09T20:46:11Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><span class=\"vds-read-time flex items-center gap-1 leading-none text-primary-500\"><br \/>\n6 min read<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Team concluded the race with three riders in the GC top 10 plus victory in the team classification<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">UAE Team l&#8217;IMAD won the teams classification in the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-2b6cf68c-9430-11f1-9247-c9b6e76da656\">UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD had plenty of reason to celebrate come the conclusion of the Tour de France Femmes in Nice, as the team finished the race with Elisa Longo Borghini on the podium, two more riders in the top 10, and the team prize to boot.<\/p>\n<p>While the Tour had started with questions from the outside over their leadership strategy, their plan clearly paid off. Longo Borghini finished with a career-best third place after previous attempts were ended by illnesses and a pre-race crash. La Vuelta Femenina winner Paula Blasi raced to fifth in her debut Tour, while Dominika W\u0142odarczyk, fourth last summer, finished seventh.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2b6cf68c-9430-11f1-9247-c9b6e76da656-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If there was ever any tension in the squad to begin with, there certainly wasn&#8217;t at the conclusion of the final stage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Big result. We&#8217;re really, really proud of Elisa, proud of Paula, proud of Dominika, proud of Silvia \u2013 I mean all the girls,&#8221; team directeur sportif Cherie Pridham told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> outside the team bus in Nice.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was just an incredible week that we had to manage. There was a lot of noise from the media, but to finish third on the podium, second on the stage podium today, and then win the team classification pretty much from the start \u2013 it&#8217;s a dream.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Despite &#8216;all the noise&#8217;, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD&#8217;s multi-leader approach working but Mont Ventoux could change everything at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think other teams know our strategy&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD start Tour de France Femmes with strength in depth and Longo Borghini and Blasi at the helm<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It just became a massive ball of stress&#8217; \u2013 Paula Blasi and UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD united on Mont Ventoux after challenging week at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We said from the start that we just need to believe in the process. The road was always going to do the talking, but we kept our line, and the girls executed a professional job.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The role of Paula Blasi, one of the breakthrough riders of the season following her Amstel Gold Race and Vuelta triumphs, was the centre of questions as the race kicked off in Lausanne. The Spaniard insisted she wasn&#8217;t a co-leader in France, but how could a rider of her ability be consigned to a support role?<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ZAZ6xyUZdA2U3yzcT7ZTj9\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ZAZ6xyUZdA2U3yzcT7ZTj9 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think cycling sometimes is like that. If you have a plan, even though maybe it may feel strange, you have to accept it and go for it,&#8221; Blasi told the assembled media at the finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But even though I was like, &#8216;Oh, maybe I&#8217;m not really doing the right thing,&#8217; you always try to trust in the team. Also, sometimes even if you have a clear leader, maybe she cannot have the best day, and things can change on the road, and you have to adapt a bit.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So that&#8217;s what we did, but in the end, I think we had a clear tactic, and we proved that even though we can have any tactic, we just commit to it. That&#8217;s what we did, so I can say I&#8217;m pretty happy about it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We&#8217;re all really united&#8217;\u00a0\u2013\u00a0After much speculation, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD confirm dual leadership strategy at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Is there Tour de France Femmes tension brewing at UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I did a decent race, I can&#8217;t complain&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini underlines team collaboration after outpowering Tour de France Femmes race leader Marlen Reusser for third on Ventoux<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi and Longo Borghini worked together on the race&#8217;s queen stage up Mont Ventoux, with the Italian surging to third on the stage and laying the base for a final weekend which would see her jump onto the podium.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After the stage, she admitted that the leadership talk had taken its toll on her, saying, &#8220;We&#8217;re cyclists, but we&#8217;re humans too, aren&#8217;t we? And it just became a massive ball of stress.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi said in Nice that she and the team managed to block things out and focus on the race and their own tactics.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We all knew what was going on in the media, and we spoke about it. We were like, &#8216;We know all the blah blah blah around.&#8217; But also, we are a team quite honest with everyone.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We were like, &#8216;This is the tactic. We go for it, we commit, and then if in the climbs we have to change, we will change.&#8217; &#8220;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"i-never-stopped-believing-that-i-could-stand-on-the-podium-in-nice-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;I never stopped believing that I could stand on the podium in Nice&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-33b25f98-9431-11f1-9eb1-bfd7c1e6c16b\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Dominka W\u0142odarczyk and Elisa Longo Borghini race towards top 10 GC finishes during the final stage in Nice <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-38ebdd6e-9430-11f1-b6ba-b398251d906f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Longo Borghini admitted that UAE&#8217;s eventual triple leader strategy invited questions, but reiterated her earlier point that riders are all humans who are affected by such rumours and speculation.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think we showed that we raced well and smart. It was questionable, for sure, having three leaders, and I understand the journalists have to do their job and their work, and I respect that 100%. But sometimes there is too much speculation, and as I said, it hurts people because behind an athlete there is a person \u2013 a girl, a woman,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We do suffer a little bit sometimes when we read some silly stuff, let&#8217;s say. Sometimes I just think we should think twice before writing things down.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We showed that we could work very well today. In the end, Paula was working for me, and I was working for her until I punctured for the sprint, because she&#8217;s super fast and I wanted to give her a chance to be second in a stage in the Tour de France. We went all in, and we showed we were strong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi took that chance and finished second in Nice as Vollering soloed home to take the second yellow jersey of her career.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Longo Borghini ended the day in seventh, a handful of seconds back after a late puncture, ready to celebrate third place \u2013 a result built on consistent racing \u2013 barring that single off day in the Jura on stage 5, and keeping the belief, even when she lay 2:20 off third place following Ventoux.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I never stopped believing that I could stand on the podium in Nice, and I kept telling myself that the Tour would finish in Nice,&#8221; she said in the post-race press conference.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve been scratching seconds here and there every single day after the bad luck on the time trial and after Stage 5, and today it paid off. So, I still have to realise it, but I can say that I&#8217;m proud.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Longo Borghini said the result was &#8220;definitely one of the highlights of my career so far&#8221;, the third place a &#8220;cherry on the cake&#8221; of nine hard days of racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;d remain on the podium to celebrate with her full team, too, including the revelation of last year&#8217;s Tour, Ma\u00ebva Squiban, who was more than happy to assume a domestique role when it brought such results.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Our goal was to put one girl on the podium, and we did it. We also won the team classification,&#8221; Squiban told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s nice because all the girls can be on the podium, not only the winner or the leader. Everyone was happy to be on the podium, including the sports directors. We&#8217;re happy with this Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-45fa1966-9431-11f1-94d8-97299ee117ce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong>. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong> app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">CATEGORIES<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Teams &amp; Riders<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-ZAZ6xyUZdA2U3yzcT7ZTj9\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-ZAZ6xyUZdA2U3yzcT7ZTj9 slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PSRUchRz7RcBeXHn7hDvCh.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Dani Ostanek<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor, later being hired full-time. Her favourite races include Strade Bianche, the Tour de France Femmes, Paris-Roubaix, and Tro-Bro L\u00e9on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Despite &#8216;all the noise&#8217;, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD&#8217;s multi-leader approach working but Mont Ventoux could change everything at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think other teams know our strategy&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD start Tour de France Femmes with strength in depth and Longo Borghini and Blasi at the helm<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It just became a massive ball of stress&#8217; \u2013 Paula Blasi and UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD united on Mont Ventoux after challenging week at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;re all really united&#8217;\u00a0\u2013\u00a0After much speculation, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD confirm dual leadership strategy at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Is there Tour de France Femmes tension brewing at UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I did a decent race, I can&#8217;t complain&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini underlines team collaboration after outpowering Tour de France Femmes race leader Marlen Reusser for third on Ventoux<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I felt stronger than in any other editions&#8217; \u2013 Why Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney can celebrate second at the Tour de France Femmes as much as her 2024 win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We can only lose it if we had it first&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France Femmes ends in tears for Marlen Reusser as she crashes off of podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I just want to sleep for a week&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini lands Tour de France Femmes podium on final stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Demi just motivates me to get stronger&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma already hungry for another tilt at the Tour de France Femmes yellow jersey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Marlen Reusser dropped then crashes on descent as Tour de France Femmes podium hopes likely dashed on final stage in Nice<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not that I make things up&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney stands by FDJ United-Suez frustrations at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6NUEeJiePnSET8EhXxbGTD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I felt stronger than in any other editions&#8217; \u2013 Why Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney can celebrate second at the Tour de France Femmes as much as her 2024 win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/go4wqaamkbakiCygihRGna-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We can only lose it if we had it first&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France Femmes ends in tears for Marlen Reusser as she crashes off of podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/unRDn6ZgMBJXVN2sNMEhg4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I just want to sleep for a week&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini lands Tour de France Femmes podium on final stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EDPjfpnhV79c7ocU8QDQSS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Demi just motivates me to get stronger&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma already hungry for another tilt at the Tour de France Femmes yellow jersey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iBZU4pHaZDQgzyjbaA6LZQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Marlen Reusser dropped then crashes on descent as Tour de France Femmes podium hopes likely dashed on final stage in Nice<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oqjDWi9S3axHSnPY4tgTY9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not that I make things up&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney stands by FDJ United-Suez frustrations at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;The road was always going to do the talking&#8217; \u2013 How UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD blocked out the noise to deliver Elisa Longo Borghini to the Tour de France Femmes podium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I felt stronger than in any other editions&#8217; \u2013 Why Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney can celebrate second at the Tour de France Femmes as much as her 2024 win<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Volta a Portugal: Double success for Alexis Guerin who takes over race lead after stage 4<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;We can only lose it if we had it first&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France Femmes ends in tears for Marlen Reusser as she crashes off of podium<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I just want to sleep for a week&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini lands Tour de France Femmes podium on final stage<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nWomen&#8217;s Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;The road was always going to do the talking&#8217; \u2013 How UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD blocked out the noise to deliver Elisa Longo Borghini to Tour de France Femmes podium<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nDani Ostanek <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-08-09T20:46:11Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n9 August 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><span class=\"vds-read-time flex items-center gap-1 leading-none text-primary-500\"><br \/>\n6 min read<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Team concluded the race with three riders in the GC top 10 plus victory in the team classification<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-2b6cf68c-9430-11f1-9247-c9b6e76da656\">UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD had plenty of reason to celebrate come the conclusion of the Tour de France Femmes in Nice, as the team finished the race with Elisa Longo Borghini on the podium, two more riders in the top 10, and the team prize to boot.<\/p>\n<p>While the Tour had started with questions from the outside over their leadership strategy, their plan clearly paid off. Longo Borghini finished with a career-best third place after previous attempts were ended by illnesses and a pre-race crash. La Vuelta Femenina winner Paula Blasi raced to fifth in her debut Tour, while Dominika W\u0142odarczyk, fourth last summer, finished seventh.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2b6cf68c-9430-11f1-9247-c9b6e76da656-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If there was ever any tension in the squad to begin with, there certainly wasn&#8217;t at the conclusion of the final stage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Big result. We&#8217;re really, really proud of Elisa, proud of Paula, proud of Dominika, proud of Silvia \u2013 I mean all the girls,&#8221; team directeur sportif Cherie Pridham told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> outside the team bus in Nice.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was just an incredible week that we had to manage. There was a lot of noise from the media, but to finish third on the podium, second on the stage podium today, and then win the team classification pretty much from the start \u2013 it&#8217;s a dream.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rDW8Se9c6SxiWPeGQP87jk-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Despite &#8216;all the noise&#8217;, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD&#8217;s multi-leader approach working but Mont Ventoux could change everything at the Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kiw4M2NRFdqtTPazzFAbQ7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t think other teams know our strategy&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD start Tour de France Femmes with strength in depth and Longo Borghini and Blasi at the helm<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SRLbqp8KM5CVHb2V3mnxMH-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It just became a massive ball of stress&#8217; \u2013 Paula Blasi and UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD united on Mont Ventoux after challenging week at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We said from the start that we just need to believe in the process. The road was always going to do the talking, but we kept our line, and the girls executed a professional job.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The role of Paula Blasi, one of the breakthrough riders of the season following her Amstel Gold Race and Vuelta triumphs, was the centre of questions as the race kicked off in Lausanne. The Spaniard insisted she wasn&#8217;t a co-leader in France, but how could a rider of her ability be consigned to a support role?<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ZAZ6xyUZdA2U3yzcT7ZTj9\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ZAZ6xyUZdA2U3yzcT7ZTj9 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think cycling sometimes is like that. If you have a plan, even though maybe it may feel strange, you have to accept it and go for it,&#8221; Blasi told the assembled media at the finish.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But even though I was like, &#8216;Oh, maybe I&#8217;m not really doing the right thing,&#8217; you always try to trust in the team. Also, sometimes even if you have a clear leader, maybe she cannot have the best day, and things can change on the road, and you have to adapt a bit.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So that&#8217;s what we did, but in the end, I think we had a clear tactic, and we proved that even though we can have any tactic, we just commit to it. That&#8217;s what we did, so I can say I&#8217;m pretty happy about it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QXGA3WyDebfiqp4Yu9ihfd-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We&#8217;re all really united&#8217;\u00a0\u2013\u00a0After much speculation, UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD confirm dual leadership strategy at Tour de France Femmes<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ovQcZCAaSfznxUfSwAGabc-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Is there Tour de France Femmes tension brewing at UAE Team L&#8217;IMAD?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Dhej3kL7jYmTY7pJP5yWzc-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I did a decent race, I can&#8217;t complain&#8217; &#8211; Elisa Longo Borghini underlines team collaboration after outpowering Tour de France Femmes race leader Marlen Reusser for third on Ventoux<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi and Longo Borghini worked together on the race&#8217;s queen stage up Mont Ventoux, with the Italian surging to third on the stage and laying the base for a final weekend which would see her jump onto the podium.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After the stage, she admitted that the leadership talk had taken its toll on her, saying, &#8220;We&#8217;re cyclists, but we&#8217;re humans too, aren&#8217;t we? And it just became a massive ball of stress.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi said in Nice that she and the team managed to block things out and focus on the race and their own tactics.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We all knew what was going on in the media, and we spoke about it. We were like, &#8216;We know all the blah blah blah around.&#8217; But also, we are a team quite honest with everyone.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We were like, &#8216;This is the tactic. We go for it, we commit, and then if in the climbs we have to change, we will change.&#8217; &#8220;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"i-never-stopped-believing-that-i-could-stand-on-the-podium-in-nice-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;I never stopped believing that I could stand on the podium in Nice&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-33b25f98-9431-11f1-9eb1-bfd7c1e6c16b\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4RtsRgCMbMALGgrTYqivi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Dominka W\u0142odarczyk and Elisa Longo Borghini race towards top 10 GC finishes during the final stage in Nice <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-38ebdd6e-9430-11f1-b6ba-b398251d906f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Longo Borghini admitted that UAE&#8217;s eventual triple leader strategy invited questions, but reiterated her earlier point that riders are all humans who are affected by such rumours and speculation.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think we showed that we raced well and smart. It was questionable, for sure, having three leaders, and I understand the journalists have to do their job and their work, and I respect that 100%. But sometimes there is too much speculation, and as I said, it hurts people because behind an athlete there is a person \u2013 a girl, a woman,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We do suffer a little bit sometimes when we read some silly stuff, let&#8217;s say. Sometimes I just think we should think twice before writing things down.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We showed that we could work very well today. In the end, Paula was working for me, and I was working for her until I punctured for the sprint, because she&#8217;s super fast and I wanted to give her a chance to be second in a stage in the Tour de France. We went all in, and we showed we were strong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Blasi took that chance and finished second in Nice as Vollering soloed home to take the second yellow jersey of her career.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Longo Borghini ended the day in seventh, a handful of seconds back after a late puncture, ready to celebrate third place \u2013 a result built on consistent racing \u2013 barring that single off day in the Jura on stage 5, and keeping the belief, even when she lay 2:20 off third place following Ventoux.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I never stopped believing that I could stand on the podium in Nice, and I kept telling myself that the Tour would finish in Nice,&#8221; she said in the post-race press conference.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve been scratching seconds here and there every single day after the bad luck on the time trial and after Stage 5, and today it paid off. So, I still have to realise it, but I can say that I&#8217;m proud.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Longo Borghini said the result was &#8220;definitely one of the highlights of my career so far&#8221;, the third place a &#8220;cherry on the cake&#8221; of nine hard days of racing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">She&#8217;d remain on the podium to celebrate with her full team, too, including the revelation of last year&#8217;s Tour, Ma\u00ebva Squiban, who was more than happy to assume a domestique role when it brought such results.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Our goal was to put one girl on the podium, and we did it. We also won the team classification,&#8221; Squiban told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s nice because all the girls can be on the podium, not only the winner or the leader. Everyone was happy to be on the podium, including the sports directors. We&#8217;re happy with this Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-45fa1966-9431-11f1-94d8-97299ee117ce\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong>. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the <\/strong><em><strong>Cyclingnews<\/strong><\/em><strong> app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><u><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/the-road-was-always-going-to-do-the-talking-how-uae-team-limad-blocked-out-the-noise-to-deliver-elisa-longo-borghini-to-the-tour-de-france-femmes-podium\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eincSQDEiqQT2SANF3EYwi-2100-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: Mont Ventoux inspires a historic solo win and shakes-up the 2026 Tour de France Femmes GC battle 2 As it happened: GC riders battle it out as race lead changes yet again on Tour de France Femmes stage 8 3 As it happened: The favourites take control in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2086937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2086937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2086937"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2086937\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2086937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2086937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2086937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}