Katarzyna Niewiadoma held onto the race leader’s OVO Energy Green Jersey at the conclusion of the penultimate stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in Chesterfield, but only after resisting a stern challenge from her rivals on the roads of Derbyshire.

The Polish National Champion, who has led the OVO Energy Women’s Tour since Stage One in Northamptonshire on Wednesday faced her strongest challenge yet in the four days of racing, with Christine Majerus at one stage becoming the virtual green jersey on the road, ending the day in second overall, 1-minute and 25-seconds back from Niewiadoma, who described it as “one of the hardest races I’ve done in my life.”

Interview – QoM’s Cordon-Ragot Stage 4 – OVO Women’s Tour by Cycling Shorts

Stage 4 (the penultimate) of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in Chesterfield and the SKODA Queen of the Mountains Jersey was decided by Audrey Cordon-Ragot. Audrey spoke to the collected media. Image ©www.chrismaher.co.uk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

Kirchmann was part of a day-long three rider break including Shara Gillow and eventual winner Roy that was joined by Majerus, who bridged the gap from a small chasing group with 77-kilometres of racing remaining.

Buoyed by Majerus’ presence, and with no chase initially behind, their lead swelled putting the Luxembourg champion into the virtual race lead.  With Cervelo Bigla and Canyon//SRAM aiding the isolated Niewiadoma in the chase, they were gradually reeled back in, until with Roy, Majerus and Kirchmann contesting the finish.

Having saved her legs for the finish, Roy led from the front outsprinting Majerus on the cobbled finish line, with Kirchmann coming home third for the final bonus seconds.

Audrey Cordon-Ragot sealed the SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb ahead of the final, flat, stage in London, finishing with a six-point lead over Lucinda Brand.

Teammate Jolien D’hoore retained the Eisberg Sprints Jersey, with Christine Majerus now her nearest challenger, two points behind with six points available during London’s final stage.

Highlights of the third stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour are on ITV4 at 23:00 on Saturday 10 June, with a repeat the following morning on the same channel.  The highlights will also be available on demand via the ITV Hub catch-up service.

The OVO Energy Women’s Tour concludes in central London on Sunday 11 June, with a 10-lap circuit race starting and finishing on Regent Street St James.  The 62-kilometre leg gets underway at 15:30 and is preceded by the Pink Ribbon Tour, a 25-kilometre ride for 800-women to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the pink ribbon, in aid of Breast Cancer Care, the Official Charity Partner of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour.

One week after the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, amateur cyclists will have the chance to ride sections of the Northamptonshire route in the Tour Ride, the official sportive of the race on Sunday 18 June.  Riders can take part in 40 or 80-mile routes, starting and finishing at Delapre Abbey in Northamptonshire, or tackle a fun, 10-mile Family Ride.  For more details visit www.tourride.co.uk

Alé Cipollini’s Australian Chloe Hosking sprinted to victory in Royal Leamington Spa at the end of the third stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, as WM3 Pro Cycling’s Katarzyna Niewiadoma retained her hold on the race leader’s OVO Energy Green Jersey.

Hosking came off Giorgia Bronzini’s wheel with around 100-metres to go on the Parade in Leamington Spa with only Drops rider Alice Barnes providing a challenge on the long, straight gently rising drag to the finish line.

Behind Hosking came Alice Barnes, retaking the Adams Best British riders jersey from her sister Hannah, who was sixth, with the pair now sitting third and fourth overall, both 1-minute and 46-seconds back from Niewiadoma.

Thanks to time bonuses Ellen Van Dijk, third on the stage, moves up to second overall, 1-minute and 43-seconds behind Niewiadoma with two stages remaining.

Interview – Alice Barnes, Best British Rider Stage 3 OVO Womens Tour by Cycling Shorts

Alice Barnes of Drops Cycling talks to the media after taking control of the Best British Rider Jersey after Stage 3 of the OVO Womens Tour. Image ©www.chrismaher.couk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, the leading young rider in the UCI Women’s World Tour briefly threatened Niewiadoma’s leading as the best placed of five riders who hit the front and built an almost two-minute lead, but were finally reigned back in at five kilometres to go, setting up the thrilling sprint finish.

While Niewiadoma kept her OVO Energy Green Jersey and Wiggle Points Jersey for WM3 Pro Cycling, some shine was taken off the day as teammate Marianne Vos fell to fifth overall and was unable to contest the finish after crashing within the final 500-metres.

Wiggle HIGH5 kept the SKODA Queen of the Mountains jersey with Audrey Cordon-Ragot, now seven points clear of Lucinda Brand, while the team also took the Eisberg Sprints Jersey thanks to Jolien D’hoore who picked up points at both intermediate sprints in Kenilworth and Wellesbourne.

Interview – Chloe Hoskins Stage 3 Winner – OVO Women’s Tour by Cycling Shorts

Chloe Hoskins winner of Stage 3 – OVO Women’s Tour chats to the media after her win. Image ©www.chrismaher.co.uk | www.cyclingshorts.cc

Highlights of the third stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour are on ITV4 at 23:00 on Friday 9 June, with a repeat at 08:55 the following morning on the same channel.  The highlights will also be available on demand via the ITV Hub catch-up service.

Saturday 10 June sees Stage Four of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour starting and finishing in the centre of Chesterfield, where Lizzie Deignan won a stage in 2016.  The 123-kilometre route takes place entirely within Derbyshire, taking in Wirksworth, Belper and Bolsover before the finish in the heart of Chesterfield town centre.

One week after the OVO Energy Women’s Tour, amateur cyclists will have the chance to ride sections of the Northamptonshire route in the Tour Ride, the official sportive of the race on Sunday 18 June.  Riders can take part in 40 or 80-mile routes, starting and finishing at Delapre Abbey in Northamptonshire, or tackle a fun, 10-mile Family Ride.  For more details visit www.tourride.co.uk