Tirol Women Cycling Impresses at the Tour de Gatineau in Canada

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A top-eight finish in the individual time trial, fifth place for Liv Wenzel in the road race and valuable UCI points: Tirol Women Cycling looks back on two successful race days at the Tour de Gatineau in Canada.

Last week, Tirol Women Cycling travelled to Canada for the Tour de Gatineau, a pair of prestigious international UCI 1.1 races. Across Wednesday and Thursday, the team delivered strong performances, combining an excellent individual result with an impressive collective effort in the road race.

Strong Time Trial Performance from Tabea Huys

Wednesday's individual time trial saw Tabea Huys represent Tirol Women Cycling on a demanding 10-kilometre circuit, which the riders had to complete twice.

The course passed through Gatineau National Park and featured several technical corners, a climb and a varied profile that required both precision and consistent pacing. Early that morning, bears had even been spotted in the national park, adding a rather unusual detail to the race setting.

Tabea delivered a very strong performance across both laps. Maintaining a consistent pace and managing the technical sections with confidence, she produced an impressive ride over the entire distance.

In the end, she was beaten by the reigning world champion, securing an outstanding eighth place in the UCI 1.1 individual time trial.

A fantastic result for Tirol Women Cycling on the international stage!

Liv Wenzel Sprints to Fifth Place in the Road Race

Thursday's road race featured a strong international peloton and six Tirol Women Cycling riders: Liv Wenzel, Tabea Huys, Belinda Holzer, Amalie Cooper, Linda Sanarini and Franziska Ehrenreich.

The riders faced the same circuit, this time completing twelve laps. From the very beginning, the race was characterised by constant attacks and an aggressive racing style.

Small groups repeatedly managed to break away from the peloton, but Tirol Women Cycling was always alert and actively involved. At least one of our riders was present in numerous breakaway attempts. Whenever the team was not represented at the front, our riders immediately reacted, helping to chase down the groups and bring them back.

After numerous attacks, the decisive breakaway finally formed with just under 40 kilometres remaining. Liv Wenzel was part of the leading group, ensuring Tirol Women Cycling had a strong presence at the front.

With all the major favourite teams represented in the breakaway, the group was able to work together effectively and gradually build a solid advantage over the peloton. The escapees ultimately reached the finish line with a lead of more than one minute.

In the uphill sprint to the finish, Liv demonstrated her strength and secured an excellent fifth place overall and second place in the U23 classification.

A superb result in a highly competitive international race and a deserved reward for the team's committed performance!

Valuable UCI Points and a Successful Canadian Campaign

With Tabea Huys finishing eighth in the individual time trial and Liv Wenzel taking fifth place overall in the road race, Tirol Women Cycling collected valuable UCI points on both race days.

Beyond the individual results, the team's collective performance was particularly encouraging. By consistently placing riders in breakaways, responding actively to attacks and ultimately securing representation in the decisive move, Tirol Women Cycling played an important role in shaping the road race.

The Tour de Gatineau also impressed with its excellent organisation, providing the riders with outstanding conditions for two challenging days of competition.

Overall, Tirol Women Cycling can look back on a fantastic racing experience in Canada, marked by strong performances, valuable experience and important international results.

On to the World Championships!

While most of the team will now return to Europe, Tabea Huys and Liv Wenzel will remain in Canada to prepare for their next major challenge: the UCI Road World Championships in Montréal.

Both riders will represent their respective national teams in the U23 events:

21 September: U23 Individual Time Trial
24 September: U23 Road Race

Following their strong performances at the Tour de Gatineau, both riders will head into the World Championships with valuable racing experience and confidence.

Tirol Women Cycling congratulates the entire team on a successful Canadian campaign and wishes Tabea and Liv the very best of luck at the World Championships!

Ride clean. Ride fair. Ride Tirol. 💗