When Kim Le Court-Pienaar of AG Insurance-Soudal launched her attack for the bonus sprint on the final climb and the extra seconds on offer, she turned on the afterburners. This was the first time I had seen Le Court-Pienaar through the lens of GC contender, exchanging blows on the iconic climbs of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
It was probably a delayed conclusion, especially given her results this year. But the Tour de France Femmes is a different beast. I was waiting for proof, and I think I got it. Le Court-Pienaar's ride was impressive. Mightily impressive.
But it was rides from all seven riders that helped deliver her to the finish line in first place. Her first comment in the press conference was to honour her teammate, Sarah Gigante. "Without her, I would have not not done what I've done today," she said. That comment underscored the sense that there is a very special culture building at AG Insurance-Soudal, win or lose.
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