Lidl-Trek finished the 2024 edition of the Tour de France Femmes with Gaia Realini in fifth place on the final stage and in the overall standings Lucinda Brand joined her in the top 10, securing 8th place.
The mythical Alpe d’Huez was the setting for a thrilling finale in this year’s edition of the Tour de France Femmes with Gaia Realini, who had started the day in 12th place overall and battled with the yellow jersey and overall winner of the race, Kasia Niewiadoma, until the final kilometers of the stage.
The young Italian rider was part of a trio that chased Demi Vollering and Pauline Rooijakkers on the 21 hairpin bends of the legendary climb. Despite being distanced by Niewiadoma and Èvita Music around a kilometre from the finish, Realini continued to fight to the finish line and eventually moved up seven places in the overall standings.
Lucinda Brand climbed to 8th place overall after a form that, in her own words, surprised her. The Dutch multi-discipline superstar deserves Lidl-Trek’s ‘MVP’ title this week after playing a key role for Elisa Balsamo in the early sprints and supporting both Gaia Realini and Shirin van Anrooij in the second half of the week.
On stage 8, Brand joined a large breakaway group that made sure to stay with the young Lidl-Trek duo over the final kilometers of the Col du Glandon and then, together with Realini, led the yellow jersey group to the foot of the Alpes d’Huez.
Shirin van Anrooij, who continues to lead the UCI U23 World Tour, ran into trouble on the Glandon when Vollering and Rooijakkers overtook her, but the 22-year-old fought on bravely to eventually finish 13th overall.
Thanks to the incredible teamwork not only of these three riders, but also of Balsamo (third in stage 1 and fifth in stage 2), Ellen van Dijk (sixth in the time trial), Lizzie Deignan and Amanda Spratt, who unfortunately had to abandon the race on stage 7 due to a broken hand sustained on stage 1, Lidl-Trek was able to take home the prize in the team classification.
Reaction from Lucinda Brand
ALPE D’HUEZ, FRANCE – AUGUST 18: Lucinda Brand of the Netherlands and Team Lidl – Trek compete in the chasing group during the 3rd Tour de France Femmes 2024, Stage 8, a 149.9 km stage from Le Grand-Bornand to Alpe d’Huez 1828 m / #UCIWWT / on August 18, 2024 in Alpe d’Huez, France. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
I wanted to catch them (Vollering and Rooijakkers) but they were a bit too far away. It was good that I was able to get them closer and then it was just up to Gaia to see how far she could go. To be honest, I didn’t know I had the legs that I had all week. At the beginning I knew I would be good but I didn’t expect it to be as good as I am now. It’s nice to see what happens after all the effort we constantly put in. It’s not easy, I went straight from the Giro to the top and then to the Tour. Luckily the Tour started at home. It’s nice to have the support at home that allows me to be away for so long and the team provides everything we need so you can do so well. I think there are still things Gaia can learn but this was a huge experience for her. We’ll see what it brings in the coming years.
You always make great plans on the bus and most of the time they don’t quite work out, but I was able to ride along on the attack at Glandon and ate my bars so I could be there on the descent and in the valley.
