CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées 2023 – Stage 2 [FULL STAGE] (ladies)

June 10, 2023

CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées 2023 – Stage 2 – Pierrefitte-Nestalas – Hautacam : 70,8 km

The CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées is a relatively new addition to the European calendar, having hosted its debut edition just last year. Unlike last year’s race which took place in August, this year’s race will fall in mid-June and offer riders an opportunity to fine-tune their form before the Grand Tour season properly begins. The three-day race, which carries a prestigious 2.1 ranking, takes place right in the heart of the French Pyrenees. Last year’s inaugural edition featured four stages with a split stage on day one. This year’s race will only comprise three stages, but one of those will finish atop the infamous Hautacam.

Marta Cavalli (FDJ SUEZ) won atop the Hautacam at the protest-filled stage 2 of the CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées.

The Italian rider out-sprinted race leader Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal Quickstep) and Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM), the only three riders to break free across the final steep banks of the classic climb.

With separation at the finish line, Cavalli took over the race lead by three seconds over Moolman-Pasio. Niedermaier jumped 14 places in the GC to third overall, five seconds back.

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ SUEZ) finished fourth on the stage and moved to fourth overall, 38 seconds back, with one day remaining.

With 3.5km to go and pressing up the steepest section of the Hautacam, Uttrup Ludwig accelerated with FDJ-SUEZ teammate Cavalli, Niedermaier and Moolman-Pasio. Neve Bradbury (Canyon-SRAM) had been with the leaders but fell off the pace.

Across the next kilometre, Cavalli fought with Moolman-Pasio to move clear of the other riders, keeping the pace high. The race leader tried to drop Cavalli as the final kilometre began, but as they marked each other from behind Niedermaier was able to rejoin for an uphill sprint to the finish. Cavalli left enough in the tank for the final sprint.

Stage 2 was supposed to be the big climbing day, with attacks expected across two small categorised climbs before fireworks expected on the infamous Hautacam. However, because of unsafe conditions in the finale of stage 1, from a random driver on the course to a littering of parked cars and meandering spectators on the narrow roads, CPA President Adam Hansen held late-night negotiations with teams, UCI and race organisers. New safety measures included the addition of additional police motorbikes for stage 2.

The first 25km were neutralised, making the shortest route of the three-day stage race, originally 96km, even shorter. Riders then seemed to race for 15km before coming to a halt. More roadside discussions ensued regarding the manner in which the motorbikes passed through the peloton and, after a discussion with the CPA and race representatives, riders agreed to proceed in another neutral way to the foot of the finish climb.

Marta Cavalli (FDJ-Suez) is the winner of the 2023 CIC-Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées 2023, but the final stage did not take place due to safety concerns.

Cavalli had taken the leader’s jersey with victory at Hautacam on Saturday’s stage 2, itself the scene of rider demonstrations, but multiple teams quit in protest ahead of stage 3, and the UCI soon called the whole thing off.

The absence of the final stage means that Cavalli is, by default, the winner of the race, with Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insurance-Soudal QuickStep) the runner-up and Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM) completing the podium.

Results :

Final General Classification :