Kim Le Court-Pienaar climbs back to 13th overall after solid team performance

Kim Le Court-Pienaar climbs back to 13th overall after solid team performance

Kim Le Court-Pienaar moved up two places in the general classification after finishing 13th on stage 5 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Supported by another strong collective performance from AG Insurance – Soudal Team, the Mauritian rider tried to limit her losses on the day's toughest climbs and now sits 13th overall.

Stage 5 once again proved selective, with the general classification contenders setting a fierce pace on the decisive climbs in the final. AG Insurance - Soudal Team raced aggressively from the start, with Justine Ghekiere and Lore De Schepper making it into the day's breakaway. The duo stayed out front until the penultimate climb, where they were eventually reeled in by the GC contenders after an impressive effort.

Their presence in the breakaway proved valuable, allowing both riders to support Le Court-Pienaar to limit her loss, once the favourites' group reached them in the finale. 

Although the pace proved too high to stay with the very best on the penultimate climb, Le Court-Pienaar continued to fight all the way to the line. Thanks to the relentless work of her teammates, she was able to minimise her losses and even gained two positions in the overall standings.

Kim Le Court-Pienaar: "I didn't have the legs to follow the strongest riders today, but my teammates did an incredible job to help me minimise the gap to the front group.

In the end, I moved up two places in the general classification and gained some time on a few of my rivals, so there are definitely positives to take from today. We stay optimistic and keep our focus on the stages ahead."