After 4 stages, Julie De Wilde (Plantur-Pura) is still in the white jersey in the Tour de France Femmes. However, that was not always certain today, as the young rider had bad luck on a gravel strip.
“I’m happy with my stage again today,” said De Wilde. “I drove well at the front almost all day and felt that my legs were still ‘semi-okay’ at the end of the stage. Then unfortunately I had bad luck.”
“I drove on a big rock and then had to complete a whole section with a flat tire. I eventually got a new tire, but then I really had to start a catch-up race.”
“I knew there were still competitors for the youth classification at the front, so I still had to drive full. So I gave up today.”
There was a lot to do beforehand about the gravel strips that were spread over the course. Although Julie De Wilde apparently found it no problem to defy them.
“I actually liked it. That last strip was dangerous and was really bad, but in itself those strips were good for me.”
“I dreamed last night that I was going to have a flat tire today and it was the case today. Despite the bad luck I had fun and I’m glad I was able to secure the white jersey”, concludes the young rider.
