Ratto wins stage 2, takes lead at Women’s Tour
Italian wins from breakaway, holding off the Vos-led peloton by seconds
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Rossella Ratto landed a stage 2 win and the overall lead at the Friends Life Women’s Tour Thursday in Bedford, England.
Ratto (Estado de Mexico-Faren) beat fellow Italian Susanna Zorzi (Astana BePink) after the pair broke free just over halfway through the 118-kilometer stage from Hinckley.
Marianne Vos (Rabo-liv) led the peloton in six seconds later for third.
“I originally attacked to get the points for the queen of the mountains, but I continued because I felt good — I am training for the time trial at present — so I thought, ‘why not?’ I was on the point of giving up when Susanna came across to me from the peloton,” said Ratto. “Two is always better than one, so we started to ride hard again. The gap started going up and we thought maybe we could do it.
“I was still afraid the peloton would get back to us in the final 4km, but Susanna, who is a good friend, helped me a lot and we were able to ride all the way to the finish it was a dream.”
The Women’s Tour continues Friday with the 90km third stage, from Felixstowe to Clacton-on-Sea.