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- Mischa Bredewold will be the first rider to don the yellow jersey at the Itzulia Women 2025
- Mischa Bredewold powers to victory in the sprint through the streets of Agurain, claiming her third stage win at Itzulia Women.
- No changes in the standings among the GC favourites
Zumarraga hosted the start of the opening stage of the Itzulia Women, which ran from the town in Gipuzkoa to Agurain, in the province of Álava. The 110 riders who set off from the town hall square faced a 148.5 km route featuring three mountain passes. The stage winner earned a double reward, as she will also wear the yellow jersey in Stage 2.
The stage began with numerous attacks and breakaway attempts. After more than 40 kilometres, the day’s breakaway was established on the Arlaban Pass (category 3), featuring Morgane Coston (CGS, 93), Gaia Segato (BPK, 124), and Katia Ragusa (HPH, 156) Its maximum advantage over the peloton was 2 minutes and 55 second. Behind the breakaway, several further attempts failed to make an impact. The peloton, led by FDJ-SUEZ, kept the breakaway under control.
The peloton began to lift the pace on the slopes of the Opakua climb. Up front, only Morgane Coston (CGS, 93) and Gaia Segato (BPK, 124) remained in contention. With 55 kilometres remaining, the gap had narrowed to just 15 seconds. The main group had been whittled down to around 30 riders.
With the break neutralised, the race produced a series of attacks and accelerations. Julie Van De Velde (AGS, 145) and Eva Van Agt (TVL, 174) slipped away in one of the attacks, opening up a gap that grew to a minute. Just 42 kilometres remained to the finish line.
At the summit of the final climb of the day, the breakaway held a 30-second lead over the peloton. With 17 kilometres to go, on the descent to Azazeta, the main group led by Team SD Worx-Protime neutralised the breakaway.
The peloton surged forward, nerves clearly frayed, when with 7 kilometres remaining a crash involving Anna Van Der Breggen shattered her hopes of fighting for the stage. The Team SD Worx-Protime rider managed to carry on, though not without bruises. Up front, attacks continued to fly in an effort to avoid a sprint finish in Agurain. But none made a significant impact.
Ultimately, the race was decided in the final metres, with a nail-biting sprint won by Team SD Worx-Protime’s Mischa Bredewold – securing her third stage victory at Itzulia Women and reclaiming the yellow jersey
Standings after Stage 1
Stage winner: Mischa Bredewold (SDW, 11)
Overall individual ranking: Mischa Bredewold (SDW, 11)
Mountain classification: Morgane Coston (CGS, 93)
Overall points classification: Mischa Bredewold (SDW, 11)
Overall ranking best young rider: Millie Couzens (FDC, 62)
Overall team classification: Team SD Worx-Protime
Overall ranking best Basque rider: Usoa Ostolaza (LKF, 74)
Most combative: Gaia Segato (BPK, 124)
