The German national champion’s attacking style was on display in the fastest-ever stage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, and she’s just getting started.
Cor Vos
I feel like every time I look at the TV coverage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, I see one rider actively pinging off the front. Franziska Koch of Picnic-PostNL seems to be addicted to the thrill of the break. The attacking style of racing is what found her in the break for Stage 4. Together with Ana Vitória Magalhães of Movistar, Koch was off the front for much of the last 80 km. On a stage that saw the average speed of 45 km/h, the German native was in for a hard day out front, but she was only caught with 4 km to go.
The sun has a sting in it today, and even in my linen shirt, I can feel the sweat beading. Koch rolls up to the last barrier in the mixed zone, reserved for the written press. She gives me a devastatingly fresh grin and a cheery “Hey!” That’s just the type of person she is. And today was hard: the fastest stage of the Tour, ever.
Koch is in the mixed zone because she has been awarded Most Combative for Stage 4. It’s not her first time getting this award in this race. Stage 1 was a course that is well suited to Koch’s riding style. Tight, twisty, ups and downs with plenty of launching pads. She loves a hard race. One of the first statements that comes out of her mouth is, “I really enjoy racing and riding aggressive.” Suitable.
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