Maëva Squiban
I crashed twice in this Tour de l'Ardèche, but nevertheless I gritted my teeth and got through these two blows of fate, and I'm happy tonight because although it hasn't always been easy over the last few hours, I've been rewarded with my very first success in the ARKEA-B&B HOTELS Excalibur jersey. This time trial required me to manage my effort well, with a very rolling first part, before the 7km climb to the finish. I kept my concentration right up to the finish line.
At the start, I heard in the earpiece that I had the second fastest time, so I thought that was good enough. In the end, I set the fastest time. It's never been beaten. When I found out I'd won, I was a bit surprised, but it's a nice surprise to have, moments like that don't come along very often. I'm enjoying it. All the uncertainties I mentioned above meant that I wasn't necessarily aiming for victory in this time trial, but rather in a road stage, so it's great, I'm really happy. I haven't won many time trials, I've had a lot of podiums or 4th places, so this first place in a time trial has a special flavour. Now it's on to the final two stages, starting tomorrow with the queen stage of this Tour International Cycliste Féminin de l'Ardèche.
