International Women's Cycling Tour of Ardèche: the emotion of Afghan refugee Fariba Hashimi, victorious on Mont Lozère

Fariba Hashimi remporte cette cinquième étape entre La Canourgue et le mont Lozère, la plus relevée de cette 22e édition du TCFIA. TCFIA – Patrick Ferrier

This Saturday, September 7, 2024, the rider from the World Cycling Center (WCC team) won the fifth stage of the event, between La Canourgue and Mont Lozère.

Fariba Hashimi advances alone towards the podium of the Tour Cycliste Femmes International de l'Ardèche (TCFIA) to receive the red jersey saluting her combativeness on the fifth stage between La Canourgue and the nature resort of Mont Lozère, the toughest of this 22nd edition of the TCFIA, with 103.7 km for 2,286 m of positive elevation gain.

On this Saturday, September 7, the Afghan runner made her mark. Having escaped for the first time, she was caught by her three pursuers, before finding the resources needed to attack again 2 km from the finish, with the Polish Dominika Wlodarczyk (UAE TEAM ADQ), and to win in 3 hours 15 minutes 06 seconds.

Fariba Hashimi and Dominika Wlodarczyk in the fight a few hundred meters from the finish. Midi Libre – Célian Guignard

A strong moment lived with his sister

The emotion is strong. The 2022 Afghan road cycling champion (competition organized by the Afghan Cycling Federation in exile, in Aigle, Switzerland, headquarters of the International Cycling Union, Editor's note) has in fact been a refugee in Europe since the return to power of the Taliban on August 15, 2021, these Islamic fundamentalists who, among other things, prohibit women from practicing sport.

Once on the top step, the 21-year-old, her eyes moist, opens her red jersey to reveal that of her team, the World Cycling Center (WCC TEAM), adorned with her country's flag. A strong moment experienced in front of her sister and teammate Yulduz, as well as in the presence of her other partner, the Belarusian Dziyana Lebedz, both very moved.

Fariba Hashimi opens her red jersey to reveal the flag of her country Afghanistan. Midi Libre – Célian Guignard

De Jong still in pink

The Dutchwoman Thalita De Jong (LOTTO DSTNY LADIES), who came third on Mont Lozère, 24 seconds behind Fariba Hashimi and 19 seconds behind Dominika Wlodarczyk, is still in pink. She leads the general classification in 11h34mn08s. The Frenchwoman Marion Bunel (SAINT-MICHEL-MAVIC-AUBER 93) is second at 50 seconds. In third position, we find the Italian Monica Trinca Colonel (BEPINK-BONGIOANNI) at 1mn38s.

This Sunday, September 8, will be the sixth and final stage of this 22nd TCFIA. 80.6 km await the runners between Le Pouzin and Privas.

On the starting line, Basile Tondeur, 11 years old, winner of the drawing competition with the École des Sources, poses with the runners. Midi Libre – Célian Guignard

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