Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio is riding to win at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, but she’s motivated by more than just wearing the famous yellow jersey.
The AG Insurance-Soudal-QuickStep leader heads into this year’s race on a high. She has recently signed a new contract with the team and although they go in as underdogs, Moolman-Pasio believes she is in the shape to secure a big result.
“The goal has been to have my best form for the Tour de Femmes and I believe that I’m on the perfect trajectory to really be the best I’ve ever been,” she told Cyclingnews from her home just outside Girona just ahead of the eight-day race set to begin on July 23 in Clermont-Ferrand and conclude in on July 30 in Pau.
It’s no secret that Moolman-Pasio’s former employers, SD Worx, have been the dominant team all season long and Demi Vollering starts the race as one of the heavy favourites.
With the way that things have been going, it would be tempting to hand Vollering the yellow jersey before the race has even begun. However, Moolman-Pasio is optimistic that the Dutch team won’t have it all their own way in France.
“SD Worx have had an absolutely phenomenal season and they are the team to beat for sure,” she said. “However, I think it does change a little bit going into the tours [as opposed to the classics]. Obviously, they’ve had a lot of their success through strength in numbers, and different cards to play, whereas now we head to the tours where we all know they have one card – it’s Demi. It’s easier for us to mark one rider than it is to mark all of them.
“I’ve decided to focus on myself, on my own preparation and being the best version of myself come the 23rd of July. I’m just going all in for the win.”
If you took a brief glance at the race route, it would be easy to assume the general classification will be played out on the final two days of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. However, having personally analysed the course in detail and ridden the first few stages, Moolman-Pasio is excited by the opportunities that the terrain in the early days offers.
“I think that the first few days are going to be super interesting. Of course, the Tourmalet and the time trial are going to be crucial, but it’s not all about those stages. There is an opportunity to find a little bit of a buffer early on,” she said.
“I think it’s a harder Tour de Femmes this year. There are some days where it’s more inclined to be a sprint stage, but they are few and…
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