Marta Bastianelli wins first stage in dramatic climax to women’s tour

A tight pack sprinted to the finish line in South Bar

Italy’s Marta Bastianelli won the first stage of the AJ Bell Women’s Tour when she edged ahead of a tight pack during a dramatic climax to the race in Banbury this afternoon.   Bastianelli, of team Ale BTC Ljubljana, completed the 147.7-kilometre ride in 3 hours 44 minutes and 41 seconds.

Bastianelli’s team mate Maaike Boogaard told Banbury FM the conditions had been different to what they anticipated.   She said: “We expected the wind to have more of an influence today, but a lot of them time there were bushes on the side.”

Maaike explained what it was like undertaking the loop around Hook Norton and Sibford Ferris a second time.   She said: “I was quite nervous.   Everyone wants to have the best position.   There’s quite a lot of corners, lefts and rights and small roads.   But you have to fight for the best position and everyone was doing that.”

Britain’s Hannah Barnes finished sixth in today’s race.

Hundreds of people lined South Bar to watch the elite cyclists race towards the finish line.   Amongst them was a large contingent from Banbury Star Cycling Club.   Isla Pearson from the club is hoping today’s event will encourage more people to get out on their bikes.

Isla said: “Its been really good.   It should bring more women to cycling.   We’ve got about 37 female cyclists in Banbury Star Cycling Club.   Things like this with the ambassadors of women’s cycling are fantastic.”

In total 16 different nationalities were represented in the 89-rider field race.   The route was designed to show off our area to the national and international audience that were watching, with highlights being shown on ITV4 during Monday evening.

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Published: 04/10/2021 08:02pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

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