19.02.2022 World-Tour, News, Race news
SORAYA FIGHTS HARD ON STAGE 3 AND KASIA KEEPS THE SPRINT JERSEY
A tough third stage at Setmana Ciclista – Volta Comunitat Valenciana Fèmines saw Soraya Paladin forced to hand over the leader’s jersey to stage winner Annemiek van Vleuten (MOV). CANYON//SRAM Racing tried its best to limit the gap but the Dutch rider crossed the line with more than one minute advantage on the mountain-top finish.
“It was a pleasure to wear the leader’s jersey. I knew from the start that today was going to be a really hard day,” admitted Soraya.
“We did everything to keep the jersey in our team. (Sarah) Roy did an amazing job at the beginning of the race, and Neve helped me to stay with the first group but I had to say that I was feeling really tired. Alena and Pauliena worked hard to help Kasia and Elise to achieve the best result. We gave everything so we’re pleased with the team’s effort.”
Kasia held onto the pink jersey in the sprint classification after today’s stage and said the team was committed.
“As Soraya said, we knew it would be a difficult task to keep the jersey because of all the climbing but we didn’t lose our faith and we were going for it. The day was quite long because of the length of the stage and the terrain. The team rode well and had a presence throughout the day. Eventually, Annemiek took the jersey in her classic style of attacking the climb and riding away. We’ve learned a lot from our new constellation as a team just in the three days of racing so far this season. Soraya did her best and we’re proud of her today,” said Kasia.
Soraya added, “Tomorrow is another day and we are ready to shine, fight for the stage win and to keep Kasia’s sprint jersey.”
Kasia and Elise are now seventh and eighth on the general classification ahead of tomorrow’s finale. The final stage of Setmana Ciclista – Volta Comunitat Valenciana Fèmines can be followed on Twitter with #VoltaCVFemines22. The stage is broadcast live on Á Punt media: www.apuntmedia.es/.
Stage 4 | 20 February | Sagunt – Valencia | 118km | 12:00-15:20CET | Broadcast 14:00-15:30CET.
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