Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) claimed the victory on the opening stage of the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l'Ardèche, out-sprinting Eleonora Ciabocco (Picnic-PostNL). Kopeck's teammate Mischa Bredewold was third.
The victory was Kopecky's third of the season after the Tour of Flanders and the Belgian time trial title. The World Champion has struggled with a back injury that ruled her out of finishing the Giro d'Italia and heavily impacted her goals in the Tour de France Femmes.
Kopecky now leads the overall on the same time as Ciabocco with Bredewold third at four seconds.
"This victory is good for the confidence," Kopecky said. "Just before the start, we had scouted the final stretch. So we knew it was a finish that should suit us. Although we also knew it would be on the limit. So we had to wait and see how it would go. Especially since this was my first race after the Tour de France Femmes, where things didn't go as I wanted them to.
"It was a great team effort. We tried to break it up in the wind, but unfortunately it wasn't right for echelons. So it would come down to the final climb, where Mischa and I were put in perfect position by our teammates.
"I set a high pace and was able to accelerate at the end. That was great. Of course, that final climb hurt, but I felt good. I rode the last two kilometres perfectly. I'll take the good things with me, but I remain cautious about my form."
Kopecky explained that, after withdrawing from the world championships, she didn't want to end the season with a bad Tour de France.
"I came here to be able to race freely in a certain way and to enjoy myself. I take each day as it comes and want to have fun above all else. This victory feels good. It's been a difficult season. So it's nice that I can honor the rainbow jersey in my last race."
The aggressive 127.5-kilometre stage around Laudun-l'Ardoise saw a two-rider breakaway mid-stage, with Anna van Wersch (Lotto) and Nina Lavenu (AG Insurance Soudal) gain just over two minutes on the SD Worx-led peloton.
The pair were chased by Ocean Mahe (Arkea-B&B Hotels). Then the peloton broke into several groups in the hilly section of the route on the penultimate lap just as the breakaway began coming back.
Van Wersch continued to forge on alone, sweeping up the final mountain point but was caught before the last intermediate sprint.
SD Worx delivered Kopecky into position for a commanding victory in the uphill sprint to the line.
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