Fifth edition of the Alpes Gresivaudan Classic, a race for pure climbers! With 50km to go, we find a leading group at the front, formed by the progressive thinning of the peloton due to the many climbs on the route: it kicks off with the ascent of the Col de Marcieu, followed by the Côte de Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, the Col de Barioz, the Col de la Croix des Adrets, and the final climb of Prapoutel - Les 7 Laux!
At the foot of the final climb, we find T. Appleton and S. Swierenga for Liv, J. Bego and E. Comte for Cofidis, C. Latimier and O. Mahe for Ma Petite Entreprise, A. Normand for Team Abadie Magnan, K. Perekitko for Mayenne Monbana, Stephanie Meder of Wheel Divas, a rider who already showed good form at the races in the Czech Republic last month, and Lea Fuchs of SPAR CTO, a Swiss club.
With 12km remaining, only Talia Appleton and Clemence Latimier are left at the front! Appleton looks like the stronger of the two, but Latimier refuses to give up, so the race comes down to a sprint! But there is no contest, with the Australian effortlessly claiming this fifth edition of the race, one of the toughest on the entire UCI calendar! Latimier finishes in second position, while the podium is completed by Ema Comte, who crosses the line ahead of teammate Julie Bego, just slightly in front of Sidney Swierenga!