Boels Dolmans Cycling Team’s Jolien D’hoore continued her strong start to this year’s OVO Energy Women’s Tour as she sprinted to victory at historic Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, on Wednesday to claim her second win in three days.

D’hoore, wearing the Breast Cancer Care points jersey, edged out Lisa Brennauer (WNT-Rotor Pro Cycling) by a narrow margin to add to Monday’s victory in Stowmarket, Suffolk.

Brennaeur’s reward for the time bonuses she has accrued in this year’s race thus far is the OVO Energy green jersey of race leader.

Overnight race leader Marianne Vos was one of a number of riders forced to abandon mid-stage following a crash near Didcot. The Dutch rider required treatment to cuts on her face.

Speaking after the stage, D’hoore said: “I was hoping for a bunch sprint and I’m happy I could finish it off again.”

Trek-Segafredo rider Anna Plichta earned the Wahooligan Combativity Award for a solo break of just under 100 kilometres, one that saw her escape shortly after the opening SKODA Queen of the Mountains climb at Pishill above Henley-on-Thames in south Oxfordshire. She was eventually caught at Alvescot in west Oxfordshire with 41 kilometres remaining. 

Brennauer’s runners up position moves her back into the lead of the race she won in 2015. She said: “I wanted to win the stage. I knew that the final would suit me; a flat finish, a long finish straight.

“I did everything how I wanted to do it and I don’t think I did anything wrong, it’s just Jolien is so fast. She was just better today.

“I think tomorrow is another good day for us as a team to step up and do good teamwork. We are ready for it and I’m excited.”

Speaking after the crash that eliminated her from the race, 2014 champion and overnight leader Vos said: “The speed went up in preparation for the second intermediate sprint. There was a fall before me, which I could not avoid. I fell hard on my head and, apart from a cut and some scratches, I don’t have any other injuries.

“I went to the hospital because the cut had to be stitched. Very unfortunate, I was quite upset by it, because I was in such a good position. But even after a fall, the race continues, but this time without me.”

Stage three highlights

Support Jolien D’hoore and Breast Cancer Care

Why not show your support for Jolien D’hoore by donating to Boels Dolmans Cycling Team’s Breast Cancer Care JustGiving page?

As well as encouraging their riders to perform at the highest level during the race, you’ll be funding vital research and support for breast cancer patients overseen by our official charity partner.

Results

Click here for full standings from stage three in Oxfordshire.

Television

Highlights from stage three will air in the UK on ITV4 at 20:00 on Wednesday and are repeated at 06:25 on Thursday morning.

Each show will be available on the ITV Hub (UK residents only) for 30 days.

Click here for details of international TV details.

Stage four details

The OVO Energy Women’s Tour’s fourth visit to Warwickshire in as many years will be celebrated with Burton Dassett Country Park hosting the first hill-top finish in race history on Thursday 13 June.

Stage four of Britain’s most prestigious women’s race around Shakespeare’s Country will take on a feel similar to that of the Belgian one-day spring classics, as the world’s best riders tackle two laps of a challenging 12.6-kilometre circuit to culminate a spectator-friendly day of racing that begins in the historic town of Warwick.

Whereas the Women’s Tour’s three previous visits to the county – raced into Stratford-upon-Avon (2016) and Royal Leamington Spa (2017 and 2018) – have ended in sprint finishes, this year’s 158.9-kilometre test promises to play a crucial part in deciding who will win the OVO Energy green jersey.