- Demi Vollering wins the sprint in Amurrio in a calmer stage than the day before.
- Vollering maintains her lead in the standings, with the winner of the txapela to be decided in the final stage.
Stage two of the Itzulia Women 2023, started in Vitoria-Gasteiz and ended in Amurrio. After yesterday’s hard day of rain and cold, today the sun appeared.
During the first kilometres, there were several attacks to form a breakaway, but the leader’s team was not interested in conceding so early on. A group of 15 riders formed but could not sustain their lead and were neutralised.
It was not until the 52nd kilometre of the race that three riders broke away, Silvia Magri (CGS, 16), Giorgia Vettorello (BPK, 96), and Maria Novolodskaya (DRP, 112). They were the first to cross the scoring intermediate sprint in Amurrio. The last climb of the stage, Malkuartu, arrived with several attacks from the peloton. The breakaway was neutralised with so much movement and finally, the SD Worx Team set the pace and at the top of the climb.
Demi Vollering (SDW, 1) took the lead on the descent to reduce the risk of falling. With 29 kilometres to go the stage was led by a group of about 25 riders.
20 kilometres to go and the stage again saw movement in the leading group with Liane Lippert (MOV, 53) as the protagonist, but it came to nothing. More riders joined the main group. Team SD Worx tried a surprise attack by Mischa Bredewold (SDW, 6) but Movistar Women’s Team quickly closed the gap. After many attempts to surprise, Claire Steels (CGS, 11) managed to open a gap of 40 seconds.
Only 10 kilometres to go and the peloton started to close the gap to Claire Steels (CGS, 11). At the sign for the last 5 kilometres, she was neutralised, and the leading group headed straight for the finish line where the fastest rider was once again Demi Vollering (SDW, 1). Taking her 5th victory in the Itzulia Women out of the 5 stages contested between the two editions.
Standings after Stage 2
Stage winner: Demi VOLLERING (SDW, 1)
Overall individual ranking: Demi VOLLERING (SDW, 1)
Mountain classification: Demi Vollering (SDW, 1)
Overall points classification: Demi VOLLERING (SDW, 1)
Overall ranking best young rider: Ella Wyllie (DRP, 116)
Overall team classification: Team SD Worx
Overall ranking best Basque rider: Usoa Ostolaza (LKF, 143)
Most combative: Claire Steels (CGS, 11)
