- Demi Vollering wins the second stage of the Itzulia in Mallabia.
- The Dutch Team SD Worx rider holds the lead with a difference of 22 seconds over second.
Stage two of the Itzulia Women got underway with a lot of movement to create a breakaway. The difficulty of the initial kilometres, with 3 scoring passes, ensured a lively start. Elise Chabbey (CSR, 83) and Mireia Benito (MAT, 131) fought for the first mountain points of the day. A group of about 30 riders formed at km 39 of the stage.
After a few wild kilometres, the breakaway finally formed on the climb to Trabakua (Cat. 3) with the following riders: Sheyla Gutierrez (MOV, 4), Shirin Van Anrooij (TFS, 16), Marta Jaskulska (LIV, 31), Anastasia Carbonari (VAL, 126), Nadia Quagliotto (BPK, 162), Tatiana Guderzo (TOP, 172), Yuliia Biriukova (ARK, 181). The peloton controlled the 1’20” gap with riders from Team DSM and FDJ-Nouvelle Aquitaine-Futuroscope. At the first intermediate sprint, the race leader maintained a gap of 40″. The Canyon/Sram Racing team. The last pass and the only Cat. 1 pass this year was set to make a difference.
Karabieta did not disappoint, the peloton caught the breakaway at the start of the climb and Demi Vollering (SDW, 44) started to push the pace with several attacks. Followed by her teammate Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (SDW, 41). The group was losing riders, Marta Cavalli (FDJ, 91) tried to increase the pace but lacked continuity. With 16.5 kilometres to go Demi Vollering attacked strongly and managed to open up a gap. She was joined by Marta Cavalli (FDJ, 91), Pauliena Rooijakkers (CSR, 86) and Olivia Baril (VAL, 124). But they failed to communicate and were neutralised by the group of favourites. Lastly, Demi Vollering, Marta Cavalli (FDJ, 91), Pauliena Rooijakkers (CSR, 86), Olivia Baril (VAL, 124) and Juliette Labous (DSM, 63) managed to open a gap of 35″.
The stage was decided on the last ramp before the finish line with Demi Vollering attacking 150 m from the line to take her second consecutive victory at this Itzulia Women. A 100% win rate for Team SD Worx’s Dutch rider.
General classification:
- Overall leader: Demi VOLLERING (SDW, 44)
- Mountain leader: Elise CHABBEY (CSR, 83)
- Leader on points: Demi VOLLERING (SDW, 44)
- Youth leader: Niamh, FISHER-BLACK (SDW, 41)
- General team classification: Team SDW Worx
- Best female Basque rider: Lourdes OYARBIDE (MOV, 5)
- Combativity: Sheyla GUTIERREZ (MOV, 4)
