Heidi Franz wins second stage in Águeda

Heidi Franz (Cynisca Cycling) took the lead in the women's Volta a Portugal today, after winning the second stage of the fifth edition ahead of other cyclists who were part of a group that escaped the peloton. The American cyclist completed the 94.8 kilometres between Canelas and Águeda in 2:16.03 hours, beating the Swedish Emilia Fahlin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) and the Japanese Tsuyaka Uchino (NEXETIS), who were second and third at the finish line respectively. Also with the same time as the winner, in fifth place, came the Portuguese Raquel Queirós (Atum General-Tavira-Farense), one of the 12 cyclists who escaped the peloton after about 80 kilometres had been completed. The previous leader, the Danish Amalie Dideriksen (Cofidis), was ninth, 14 seconds behind, and lost the yellow jersey to Heidi Franz – she is currently fourth, nine seconds behind.

The American from Cynisca Cycling leads the overall standings with a four-second advantage over Emilia Fahlin and a five-second advantage over Tsuyaka Uchino. Portuguese Olympian Raquel Queirós, who returned to the road this season after focusing on mountain biking, is in sixth place, 10 seconds behind the leader of the race, which continues today with the third stage, the longest of the competition, which connects Aveiro to Pombal, covering a total of 128.4 kilometres.

Heidi Franz (Cynisca Cycling) took the lead in the women's Volta a Portugal today, after winning the second stage of the fifth edition ahead of other cyclists who were part of a group that escaped the peloton. The American cyclist completed the 94.8 kilometres between Canelas and Águeda in 2:16.03 hours, beating the Swedish Emilia Fahlin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) and the Japanese Tsuyaka Uchino (NEXETIS), who were second and third at the finish line respectively. Also with the same time as the winner, in fifth place, came the Portuguese Raquel Queirós (Atum General-Tavira-Farense), one of the 12 cyclists who escaped the peloton after about 80 kilometres had been completed. The previous leader, the Danish Amalie Dideriksen (Cofidis), was ninth, 14 seconds behind, and lost the yellow jersey to Heidi Franz – she is currently fourth, nine seconds behind.

The American from Cynisca Cycling leads the overall standings with a four-second advantage over Emilia Fahlin and a five-second advantage over Tsuyaka Uchino. Portuguese Olympian Raquel Queirós, who returned to the road this season after focusing on mountain biking, is in sixth place, 10 seconds behind the leader of the race, which continues today with the third stage, the longest of the competition, which connects Aveiro to Pombal, covering a total of 128.4 kilometres.

Heidi Franz (Cynisca Cycling) took the lead in the women's Volta a Portugal today, after winning the second stage of the fifth edition ahead of other cyclists who were part of a group that escaped the peloton. The American cyclist completed the 94.8 kilometres between Canelas and Águeda in 2:16.03 hours, beating the Swedish Emilia Fahlin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) and the Japanese Tsuyaka Uchino (NEXETIS), who were second and third at the finish line respectively. Also with the same time as the winner, in fifth place, came the Portuguese Raquel Queirós (Atum General-Tavira-Farense), one of the 12 cyclists who escaped the peloton after about 80 kilometres had been completed. The previous leader, the Danish Amalie Dideriksen (Cofidis), was ninth, 14 seconds behind, and lost the yellow jersey to Heidi Franz – she is currently fourth, nine seconds behind.

The American from Cynisca Cycling leads the overall standings with a four-second advantage over Emilia Fahlin and a five-second advantage over Tsuyaka Uchino. Portuguese Olympian Raquel Queirós, who returned to the road this season after focusing on mountain biking, is in sixth place, 10 seconds behind the leader of the race, which continues today with the third stage, the longest of the competition, which connects Aveiro to Pombal, covering a total of 128.4 kilometres.