17 June 2008 – After the races in the USA, the most athletes of the Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team are back to Europe and take part at the Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale, a six-day stages race of the UCI category 2.2 in Belgium, France and Italy. Today, the first of the various competitions started in Gent (BEL) and went over 72,1 km to Wattrelos in North of France.
With an awesome second place for the 23-year-old Pascale Schnider and a 5th place of Sarah Düster finished a great first day for the Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team. The race was won in the sprint by cycling veteran from Lithuanian Diane Ziliute in a total race time of 1:51.40h. Pascale Schnider finished second ahead of Loes Markerink from Neatherland.
During the race, the Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team was very active. Karin Thürig launched an attack at 50 km and was racing alone in the front until the last 4 km. After the first stage, the Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team is now in the lead of the team ranking.
Tomorrow are two stages of the schedule of the Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale. One in the morning from Wallers (FRA) to La Louvière (BEL) and one in the afternoon continuing from La Louvière back to France to Fourmies.
More information and source for results: http://www.velo-feminin.com
Result 1st stage:
1 Diane Ziliute (LIT) Safi Pasta Zara Manhattan Team 1.51.40 h
2 Pascale Schnider (SUI) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 0.00
3 Loes Markerink (NED) Team Flexpoint 0.00
...
5 Sarah Düster (GER) Cervélo Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 0.00
18 Carla Ryan (AUS) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 0.00
29 Priska Doppmann (SUI) Cervélo Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 0.00
34 Christiane Soeder (AUT) Cervélo Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 0.00
37 Karin Thürig (SUI) Cervélo Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 0.00
Points ranking:
1 Diane Ziliute (LTU) Safi - Pasta Zara Manhattan Team 25pts
2 Pascale Schnider (SUI) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 20pts
3 Loes Markerink (NED) Team Flexpoint 16pts
…
5 Sarah Düster (GER) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 12pts
Mountain ranking:
1 Jolanta Polikeviciute (LTU) USC 8pts
2 Christiane Soeder (AUT) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 3pts
3 Karin Thürig (SUI) Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 2pts
Team ranking
1 Cervélo-Lifeforce Pro Cycling Team 5:35.00h
2 Safi – Pasta Zara Manhattan Team 5:35.00h
3 Swiss National Team 5:35.00h
