‘The one to beat’ – Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig’s quest to dethrone Annemiek van Vleuten at Tour de France Femmes

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ–Suez) has a bold target for this year’s Tour de France Femmes: topple Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) and win the yellow jersey.

Buoyed by her victory, Uttrup Ludwig went on to finish seventh in the battle for yellow – albeit 8’59” off runaway winner Van Vleuten.

Speaking to the Eurosport GCN Cycling Show, available to watch on April 11 at 17:30 BST on Eurosport 1 and discovery+, Uttrup Ludwig talked up her Dutch rival and her own dream.

“Annemiek is an amazing bike rider,” she said.

“As it is at the moment, she’s the one to beat. We’re going to try and do that this year. I believe in us.”

“Looking back at last year, that day is one of the best memories,” she said.

“It was a big day, especially because of what happened the day before. Everything looked so black. We were all on the floor, losing Marta and then losing time. We were just like ‘can this get worse?’ And then the next day, new pants on, and it was quite incredible. It was probably one of the best days of my life.

“I also came into last year’s Tour wanting to go for the GC and I think we have the same ambition this year and trying to get that podium.”

Both Uttrup Ludwig and Van Vleuten had a quiet spring and are still chasing their first victory on the road in 2023. The pair duked it out for the final spot on the podium at Strade Bianche Donne in March, with Uttrup Ludwig coming out on top.

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