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In what proved to be a nervous race in the streets of Paris, with the odds stacked heavily against potential breakaways, any rider who strayed too far from the front had no chance of vying for the win against the grandiose backdrop of the Champs-Élysées. World champion Marianne Vos posted a time of 02:00:41 to prevail over Kirsten Wild (Giant-Shimano) and Leah Kirchmann (Optum Pro Cycling) at the end of a thrilling final sprint which fascinated spectators in the finish area.
 
The bunch was well aware of the magnitude of La Course by Le Tour de France when it gathered on the Champs-Élysées circuit for the first edition of the annual race at 1 PM. All the teams had hatched their own plans, which resulted in a very exciting and animated race experience. Worrack (Specialized - Lululemon), who attacked twice, and Van Vleuten tried to slip away during the first hour of racing, ridden at an average speed of 44 km/h, but were unable to push their gap beyond 20 seconds. With 36 kilometers to go, it was time for one of the big names to light the fireworks when Ellen van Dijk went into time trial position on her bike in a solo bid for glory. Once again, the Dutch rider's adventure was cut short by the bunch, with Pauline Ferrand-Prévot taking the reins of the race for Team Rabo-Liv.

With 24 withdrawals, what was already proving to be a selective race got even more hectic in the final three kilometers. Having suffered a flat earlier on, Kirsten Wild was quickly shepherded back to the peloton by her teammates and was ideally positioned on Marianne Vos's wheel as the bunch rolled under the two kilometer banner.

Following Ferrand-Prévot's spectacular fall with 900 meters to go, it was Lisa Brennauer's turn to go off the front inside the final kilometer. Alas, the German champion took off too early and was overtaken with just 100 meters to go by Wild and Vos, all guns blazing in their much anticipated duel on what many consider the most magnificent avenue in the world. It was Marianne Vos who claimed this sprint royal and showed just why the most beautiful races have her name written all over them.

Marta Tagliaferro's top 5 placings in six out of the eleven intermediate sprints held on the finish line were enough for the Ale Cipollini rider to take the points classification, while Coryn Rivera was the best young rider and finished sixth overall.

French national champion Ferrand-Prévot led the peloton under the flamme rouge but was ruled out of contention by a fall 900 meters before the line. "I was really well positioned with one kilometer to go. I think I managed to give Marianne a decent lead-out despite it all. That fall was difficult to avoid, but it's a pity because I could've contested the sprint too. It's just a few scratches, Marianne's amazing victory is what really counts. It really was a great day at the office."
 
After months helping promote the La Course by Le Tour de France race, Marianne Vos did not disappoint when the moment the women had been working towards for months finally came.

"The La Course one-day race is really something awesome for women's cycling, but it's just one step towards the recognition we deserve. I'd like to thank the organizers again. I hope everyone who saw us today realized the peloton is getting stronger and stronger. I've already won most major races, and La Course is one I just had to add to my palmarès. It's also because of my team that I won today and the more you win, the more you want to win," Vos explained after being celebrated on the podium in Paris.

Watch video highlights from La Course by Le Tour de France in our videos section (Viewable only from within the USA) and check out our road bike shop and training diary offer , which will help you ride like Marianne Vos!