Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Charlotte Becker was awarded the Most Aggressive Rider Prize in the fifth stage of the Route de France, between Paucourt and Migennes, as one of the key instigators of the decisive breakaway move. The former German champion finished the 97.3km stage in fifth position in what became a chaotic sprint for the line after six more riders joined the original eight-strong group, behind Audrey Cordon (France), Barbara Guarischi (Alé-Cipollini) and race leader Claudia Lichtenberg (Giant-Shimano).
“We really tried to attack a lot with the team in the beginning of the race and I think we worked really well together,” said Becker. “It was also really fun how every one of us really tried to be in front and be present all the time. I think we made it hard for the other teams today, and that’s what we wanted to do.
“It was a bit quiet again, with Giant-Shimano holding it together, so we really wanted to get a break together. That’s what finally happened and I was in it. It was a break with really good riders, I think the biggest gap we had was about a minute. I felt pretty good and I was optimistic that I could get on the podium, but then four kilometres before the finish some more riders joined us.”
Present in this group were Becker’s Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling teammates Linda Villumsen and Anna Bianca Schnitzmeier, who both tried to escape the others in the closing kilometres.
“The group was a little too big for me to have control,” Becker said. “Schnitzi did a really good attack with one and a half kilometres to go, and it could have been successful, but a few teams had more than one rider in the group so they closed it. Linda also tried to do an attack at the end, but I was a little bit closed in and it was a bit chaotic and dangerous for me at the finish.
“I was a bit disappointed because normally I can do a good sprint out of a group like this. It would be nice to have a win, or at least a podium, because we did a really good race today and I think we deserved it. The result was not really what we showed today, but I think we can all be happy with how we raced.”
The Most Aggressive Rider Prize was the second to be won by Becker, who also earned it in the opening stage.
“I now have two of these awards, so I’m feeling pretty aggressive!” Becker joked.
Result
1. Audrey Cordon (France)
2. Barbara Guarischi (Alé-Cipollini)
3. Claudia Lichtenberg (Giant-Shimano)
5. Charlotte Becker (Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling)
