Fiona Mangan, the elite Irish road race champion competing with US Continental team Cynisca Cycling, yesterday brushed off a difficult opening day at Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l'Ardèche (2.1) to go on the attack.
The Limerick woman come out of stage 2 with the combativity award for her solo efforts off the front, even though she was ultimately caught by the peloton in the finale of the 82km stage from Tournon-sur-Rhône to Mauves in southern France.
Mangan is competing in the six-stage race along with compatriot Megan Armitage (EF-Oatly-Cannondale) and endured a tough time of it on Tuesday's opener.
She suffered stomach issues and, as a result, lost over 13 minutes to stage winner Thalita de Jong (Lotto Dstny Ladies). The Irish champion was spat out he back, due to her illness, on one of the climbs on the 88km stage from Saint-Fortunat-sur-Eyrieux to Beauchastel.
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However, Mangan had clearly gathered herself for yesterday's stage 2, attacking solo about 50km into the race and staying out front alone for about 15km, gaining a lead of 50 seconds at one point.
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After she was caught on the final climb about 20km from the finish, the battle for stage victory came down to a bunch sprint, won again by race leader de Jong; the Dutch rider clearly in great form this week. Mangan finished in 27th place, some 1:50 down on the 20-rider group sprinting for victory.
Armitage finished 78th yesterday, at 7:50, after placing 23rd on the opening stage at 4:42; the field splitting on the climbs on both stages.
Though Mangan's time out front yesterday ultimately came to an end long before the finish, it was a good effort by the Irish woman, especially after the disappointment of her opening day which ended her hopes of a general classification ride.
The race was due to continue today, Thursday, with the 126km stage 3 taking the riders from Avignon to Bollene, including three categorised climbs and a small kicker to the finish line.
