"I have so many amazing people around me who believe in me" - Urska Zigart 'feels like a winner' despite narrow GC defeat in Romandie

Tour de Romandie Féminin 2025 will always be tainted, but for home rider Elise Chabbey the memory of this race will have a sweet taste. On the last opportunity, last day of the race, the FDJ - Suez rider was able to break away from overall leader Urska Zigart and accompanied by Blanka Vas and Paula Blasi, the 32-year-old Swisswoman rode towards the biggest victory of her career.

"I didn't sleep very well last night because I still had the adrenaline from the victory," Chabbey reflected at DirectVelo. "I really thought today (Sunday) was a bonus."

But you don't say 'no' to an opportunity to win the general classification: "The course really suited me, with five-minute efforts. We wanted to try to win the overall, even if it meant losing everything. The plan was for the race to be tough on the climbs, then I had to attack on the final climb. The girls did a really great job (setting that up)."

Supported by her teammates and sport directors on radio, Chabbey went for it with 10 kilometers to go on the last steep climb Antagnes, following the attack of Paula Blasi.

Initially, the situation seemed perfect for Chabbey with fellow escapee willing to work together. "So I tried on the last climb and it worked. I was with Paula Blasi who had every interest in riding too because she wanted to have the podium in the general classification. So we really got along well."

However the cooperation fell apart when another challenger bridged along. "Blanka (Vas) joined us, and that broke up the relays a bit. She could have won in the sprint, so she had no interest in riding. So, Paula stopped riding too."

Then GC leader Urska Zigart moved down to second overall as a result of Chabbey's attack, a third second place within three days. Regardless, the AG Insurance - Soudal rider wasn't all that fussed about losing the yellow jersey in Aigle.

"Of course I’m disappointed about a few seconds that didn’t turn into my favour today, but we left it all out on the road trying to honor, defend and keep the leader’s jersey," Zigart wrote on her Instagram.

"Even though I lost it, I feel like a winner. Not because I’m satisfied with 2nd place, but because I have so many amazing people around me who believe in me and support me doing what we all love so much. Racing our bikes. And we did that!"