- Mischa Bredewold sprints to win the first stage
- Mischa Bredewold will wear the yellow jersey tomorrow
The 3rd edition of the Itzulia Women got underway today in Vitoria-Gasteiz, just over a month after the end of the Itzulia. The day promised a peloton of cycling stars and 3 days of cycling ahead. The stage, the longest this year at 140km, set off from Vitoria-Gasteiz towards Elgoibar.
The riders got off to a quiet start, with several unsuccessful attempts at a breakaway. The peloton did not want a multi-rider breakaway to form so it could better control the race. With 90 kilometres to go, Célia Le Mouel (AUB, 95), Quinty Van De Guchte (LDL, 105), Maaike Colje (ARK, 162) and Nina Berton (WNT, 193) tried but without success.
With 55 kilometres to go, Valentina Cavallar (ARK, 165) and Stine Dale (HPU, 121) gained a 55-second gap over the peloton. In an up and down section, the peloton dispersed leaving several of the favourites in the trailing group. Eventually, they regrouped without consequence. That cut the gap to 17 seconds with the two breakaways, but the peloton again lost a few seconds to the race leaders. At the start of the last mountain pass, Itziar, the gap was 47 seconds.
Just before the peak of Itziar, Demi Vollering upped the pace and put the group in single file. The breakaway lost ground and Valentina Cavallar led the stage alone.
On the descent to Deba, the peloton neutralised the breakaway, followed by the second intermediate scoring sprint of the stage. Movistar worked to take the points with Olivia Baril (71, MOV).
The race arrived at pace at the finish, where it was all decided in a sprint over the final breathtaking metres. Team SD Worx- Protime rider Mischa Bredewold (SDW, 6) took the stage ahead of Arlenis Sierra (75, MOV) and her teammate Demi Vollering .
Standings after Stage 1
Stage winner: Mischa Bredewold (SDW, 6)
Overall individual ranking: Mischa Bredewold (SDW, 6)
Mountain classification: Valentina Cavallar (ARK, 165)
Overall points classification: Mischa Bredewold (SDW, 6)
Overall ranking best young rider: Josie Nelson (DFP, 34)
Overall team classification: Team SD Worx-Protime
Overall ranking best Basque rider: Ane Santesteban (LKF, 131)
Most combative: Stine Dale (HCP, 121)
