In 2023 Charlotte Kool was the only sprinter capable of rivalling Lorena Wiebes but the 2024 season only saw her take one win until August, and as recently as two weeks ago the Dutch sprinter had an health issue that could even take her out of the Tour de France Femmes. In a matter of two days her season has changed completely as she sealed her second consecutive win this morning at the Tour de France Femmes.
“We were in control the whole day. We heard that there were some crashes, but I hope everyone is okay. It was a rather hectic course, but I like that," the yellow jersey said in a post-race interview. Kool wore a special jersey today after winning in The Hague this Monday, and in Rotterdam she did it again. DSM was able to protect her perfectly into the final kilometers. This time around she did have to contest the finale with former teammate Wiebes but surprisingly she managed to hold the wheel of her rival in the final sprint and come through right in the very last meters of the stage.
“It was a rather chaotic sprint. We were a bit far, but we knew we had to stay calm. I tried to stay as calm as possible and just launched my sprint. That was enough to win"," she added. It is an absolute success for the Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL rider who may have built enough of a buffer to even keep the race lead after this afternoon's short time-trial where she is expected to lose time on her rivals.
But for Kool that doesn't matter too much anymore, after having a dream start to the race. “Dreams come true quite quickly these days. Yesterday already. And then to be able to wear this jersey today was very special. I think I am stronger than ever. I never expected this two weeks ago, but things can change quickly," she concluded.
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