Published on : 05/06/2022
The 25-year-old Italian rider won the sprint during the 4th stage between Loudéac and Pontivy at the end of a race where Cofidis was able to impose its tempo with brio. This is the first victory in the history of the women's section of the northern team, which rewards the entire team for its self-sacrifice over the past months.
Impossible to dream better for a first. Because this victory during the queen stage of the Bretagnes Ladies Tour, the first in the history of the Cofidis women's team, is a model of its kind in terms of teamwork, surpassing oneself and emotions. You had to see the energy of Clara Koppenburg who tried to make the peloton explode in Mûr-de-Bretagne. Then, in the final circuit, Rachel Neylan's attacks to destabilize the other teams a little more. Finally, after being well positioned at the red flame, Martina Alzini showed her qualities as a sprinter and as a cross-country runner by winning and raising her arms at the end of this stage where Cofidis shone on all sides.
Two riders in the top 10 of the general classification
The reasons for satisfaction, which also owe a lot to the abnegation of the staff and the knowledge of the terrain of the two regional riders of the stage, the sports directors Gaël Le Bellec and Arthur Quillec, are multiple. So there is this victory, the first, highly symbolic. There is also the 2nd place in the general classification acquired by Cedrine Kerbaol (at 40 sec) during the time trial of the day before, and the 6th place of Rachel Neylan (at 1 min 20 sec). Above all, there is the tenacious impression that this close-knit and determined group has the spirit of winning firmly in its body.
Martina Alzini, on the other hand, has been growing in strength throughout the beginning of the season. Weakened by the Covid-19 and a bronchitis in March, she was able to return to her best level. Third in the Ronde de Mouscron in mid-April, 13th yesterday in the time trial in Locronan, she has won this prestigious victory. It rewards the incredible work of the whole staff and the riders since the pre-season training camp and shows that the Cofidis women's team can look forward to the rest of the season with ambition and serenity.
THEY SAID
Martina Alzini (1st): "I am very happy. It's a great pride to win the first race in the history of the Cofidis women's team. We usually say it at every race and it is even more true today: it is a real collective victory. I'm happy with the whole team, with the way we rode together, taking risks, attacking and defending our places in the general standings. It's just happiness!"
Gaël Le Bellec, Sporting Director : " Clara (Koppenburg) contributed to harden the race in Mur-de-Bretagne, with the will to create the surprise. Then, in the final circuit, Rachel (Neylan) tried her luck. Then, as we were heading for a sprint in a final that we know well, Martina (Alzini) knew how to place herself well and to look for this beautiful victory. Against two UCI World Tour teams, the victory is all the more valuable. It's really a great victory for all the work that has been done in the last few months."