- Demi Vollering claims her third txapela
- Mischa Bredewold and Sarah Van Dam rounded out the final podium in Donostia
We’ve reached the final and decisive stage of the Itzulia Women, starting and finishing at the Boulevard in San Sebastián. The riders faced 112 kilometres ahead of them in their bid to reach the top of the final podium. Mischa Bredewold entered the stage with a 12-second lead in the general classification.
The first news of the day was that Liane Lippert (MOV, 42), second in the general classification, would not start the stage after ‘a bad night and feeling very fatigued’, according to the team’s announcement.
The stage got under way and, as expected, the first attacks soon followed. It wasn’t until the riders reached Jaizkibel that a breakaway of around 20 riders formed, but they were soon reeled in by the peloton. On the climb to Jaizkibel, Ava Holmgren (LTK, 32) gained a few metres’ lead but was caught before reaching the summit.
After passing through Gurutze, Sara Martín (MOV, 45) and Célia Le Mouel (CTC, 55) held a 1 minute 45 seconds lead over the peloton. The main group was led by the FDJ-Suez team as they attempted to close the gap. Just 40 kilometres remained to the finish.
At the first crossing of the finish line, the gap was one minute, with Stina Kagevi (REP, 106) caught between the two groups, but she was soon neutralised.
The leading pair pushed hard to preserve their advantage and start the final climb ahead of the peloton. Behind them, however, the favourites’ teams were closing the gap. They were caught before the climb began. The climb to Igeldo will determine the winner of both the stage and the 2025 Itzulia Women.
Right from the start of the climb, FDJ-Suez and Liv-Jayco-Alula set a demanding pace. The race leader stayed close behind the wheel of the main favourite, Demi Vollering (TFS, 1).
Mavi Garcia (21, LIV) took control of the pace, splitting the race into a leading group of only five riders, among them Demi Vollering (TFS, 1) and Mischa Bredewold (SDW, 11).
The yellow jersey was at her limit trying to maintain the pace, until Vollering upped it with 15 kilometres remaining, creating a gap while Mavi Garcia (21, LIV) and Antonia Niedermaier (CSZ, 83) stayed close behind.
Vollering’s pace was relentless, and eventually Mavi Garcia (21, LIV) and Antonia Niedermaier (CSZ, 83) had to give way. Demi’s time trial was under way. Bredewold was still losing time, despite support from the Lidl-Trek team to maintain the pace. The FDJ-Suez team leader needed to gain 20 seconds to secure her third Itzulia victory.
The gap stood at 55 seconds with 12 kilometres to go. Vollering had it in the bag. Antonia Niedermaier (CSZ, 83) was 46 seconds behind. The rest of the chasing group, including the race leader, regrouped during the easiest part of the climb. To try to reduce the gap, Mischa Bredewold started pulling the group.
Finally, Demi Vollering crossed the line solo, 55 seconds clear of the others. It was Vollering’s third overall victory in the Itzulia. Mischa Bredewold and Sarah Van Dam completed the podium.
Standings after Stage 3
Stage winner: Demi Vollering (TFS, 1)
Overall individual ranking: Demi Vollering (TFS, 1)
Mountain classification: Demi Vollering (TFS, 1)
Overall points classification: Mischa Bredewold (SDW, 11)
Overall ranking best young rider: Antonia Niedermaier (CSZ, 83)
Overall team classification: Cerartizit Pro Cycling Team
Overall ranking best Basque rider: Usoa Ostolaza (LKF, 74)
Most combative: Gaia Segato (BPK, 124)
