We all stand together: LIZZIE ARMITSTEAD WINS TOUR STAGE 3 IN CHESTERFIELD

AVIVA WOMENS TOUR STAGE 3 ASHBOURNE TO CHESTERFIELD
MARKET PLACE CHESTERFIELD
FRIDAY 17 JUNE 2016

LIZZIE ARMITSTEAD STAGE 3 WINNER

Otley's own Lizzie Armitstead won stage 3 of the Aviva Womens Tour which this year graced the Derbyshire Peak District from Ashbourne to its finish in Chesterfield. The stage took on 112 km and some of the toughest mountain climbs including the unbelievable steep Bank Rd in nearby Matlock.
The blog only spotted this gem a few days before the event and it was another opportunity to add a sport not so far covered. Well where to start, where to stand, what time to arrive, a bit of research all were questions buzzing around. I have to say I did some research before on the excellent website that supports 'the tour' it is packed full of information and stats. If you think Cricket and other sports have facts and stats piled high you haven't seen nothing till you take a look at cycling.
After reading up on the riders and different teams I decided to just go and enjoy this fantastic event because I would never remember all the teams and any large amount of the riders.

MARIANNE VOS ON THE PODIUM

Needless to say there were some famous names there of course world champion Armitstead, Dutch rider Marianne Vos [5th finish], Elisa Longo Borghini, and in the end my favourite for here tremendous ability to climb winner of the Strava Queen of the Mountains who looked absolutely delighted to have won the associated jersey at the podium. Of course each rider is within a team and its a combined effort but the peak performer here was Amitstead of the Boels Dolmans team as she sprinted across the line to take the yellow jersey. By the end of the tour she had also claimed the overall victory and Hall had done the same as Queen of the Mountains.

STAGE 3 FINISH IN CHESTERFIELD

The blog is hopefully to be much about the experience than the cycling of which I probably can do no more justice than above mini report. Lets just say its a sport that you cant be everywhere unless you are in one of the race cars or on one of the many motorbikes and some people will prefer the climbs other the sprints and probably the newbies like the blog wanted to be at the finish line and by the presentations. This though takes nothing away from these tremendous athletes and when you watch the days highlights on TV it makes you appreciate the riders tremendous abilities.

FINAL STRETCH NEARLY SET UP

Having done a small journey to this event there was an amazement that the whole set up was well in place at just after 11am and the size of the event is impressive. The finish line was the usual advertisement strewn arch and alongside it an impressive winners podium. The whole course into the town centre finish is fenced off by tilting back barriers festooned with race advertisers publicity. The sponsors area was just about waking up to greet todays visitors including the local dignitaries. The whole of the final section of the route was over the Market Place cobbles would test the riders after the most strenuous stage of the tour and at the finish line and the final meters the whole event was giving a constant up beat feel by announcer Joe Fisher who did an excellent job for the event. The sound system was excellent and with a constant flow of upbeat music and race updates this added to the whole experience.

PROMO ZONE

With a little time to walk up to the town hall before securing a position the blog had time to wander around the promo zone with all sorts of bike associated equipment and snacks available. One of the organisers was pacifying a local who had seen their Friday shopping disturbed by advising him he had been there since 4am setting up and that it had taken a year of planning to bring this wonderful event to Chesterfield. The latter point is one of the things I would take away from the event the organisation, planning and setting up of the street furniture for this event was unbelievable all credit to the organisers!

RACE CARS TAKE A REST

Following a little walk around the rest of the closing stages I took up a position just after the finish line and in close proximity to the podium for the presentations.

ANNOUNCER JOE FISHER GETS THE FANS IN THE MOOD

The build up was noisy and upbeat with as previously mentioned information about how the race was going and having arrived at about 1215 there was a good hour and a half to enjoy build up or the Tours arrival at around 1.55pm.

THE LORD MAYOR WELCOMES THE TOUR TO CHESTERFIELD

BBC Look North were in attendance with reporter Paul Ogden acting as cameraman and interviewer, there was a shortage of race side souvenirs although some people did game some reminders of the event including some excellent mini cow bells which came out just before the finish. There was an excellent race programme priced at £5 and a very informative effort for any race follower.

ITV'S NED BOULTING ARRIVES AT THE FINISH LINE

A short while before the finale of stage 3 ITV4's Ned Boulting arrived and he was very approachable as he walked the finish stopping to talk to many of the fans and pose for pictures
As the lead riders came into Chesterfield the overhead flight of the TV helicopter signalled the Tours arrival, the race cars came into the final straight and then whoosh that was it within 10 seconds Armitstead had flown over the line after the cobble sprint to raise one arm in the air in celebration. The Peloton, hark at me, were soon following up and received a rapturous local reception and just as the presentation was about to get underway the final rider came over the line probably 10 minutes behind the leaders but to any equally warm reception full of admiration for their efforts.
As one policeman on duty commented to Joe Fisher 'I have no idea what's just gone on there', it really is that quick.
That was it all over very quickly and although the experience is something not to be missed I guess its also good to be able to watch the riders on TV afterwards.

STAGE WINNER LIZZIE ARMITSTEAD

The presentations were also a quality highlight once again done excellently and the enthusiastic crowd were delighted to see their own favourite riders. Lizzie Armitstead was resented with the stage win and of course her yellow jersey for overall leader, plus the Adnams best British rider. My favourite was Katie Hall of the United Healthcare Team who as Queen of the Mountain showed tremendous stamina and fitness on this testing stage.

KATIE HALL QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAINS

The previously mentioned Vos retained the Chain Reaction Points Jersey to much acclaim from the now 10 deep crowd.
Part of the highlight of the presentation was Lizzie Armitsteads proud grandma and granddad the former wearing a T shirt advertising the fact being interviewed by the gathered journalists.