TEAMWORK ON SHOW AS SORAYA SPRINTS TO SECOND IN NAVARRA

At today’s Navarra Women’s Elite Classic, Soraya Paladin proved she’s in top form. The experienced Italian handled the hilly parcours with ease and powered to second place from a reduced bunch sprint, marking her first individual podium since stage 4 of the 2024 Giro d’Italia Women.

Heading around the final corner in the city streets of Pamplona, Soraya was locked onto the wheel of Cat Ferguson (MOV). Both riders immediately launched out of the bend at 200 metres to go, but the power of the young phenom was unmatched, with Soraya securing a strong second in a fair fight.

Soraya reflects on the team’s strategy and the final outcome:

“We had different cards to play, of course, with Cille and Toni. We were hoping for an aggressive race. We knew that Liv AlUla Jayco had Trinca-Colonel and she was one of the strongest on the climbs, so the plan was for Toni to follow her and make the group smaller, or force a breakaway. If nothing was happening with two kilometres to go, I asked Cille to set a hard pace into the last kicker before the finish line. She did it perfectly. Then, Cat was just the strongest today.

In the last kilometre, I was focused on Cat’s wheel. I knew Cille was helping me, and I really wanted to repay that with a good result. Of course, second place is always a double feeling. When I crossed the finish line, I wasn’t really happy, but for how we raced and how she won, I think we can be proud. We’ll take this as a positive into Itzulia, with a strong team ready to race well again.”

The 133.4 kilometre race featured over 2100 metres of elevation and nine savage climbs – a punishing course that could almost be mistaken for a spring classic, were it not for the Spanish scenery and wider roads. Despite the unrelenting profile, more than 20 riders remained in contention at the finish.

Once live coverage began with 70km remaining, CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto were a constant presence at the front. Soraya, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, and German duo Antonia Niedermaier and Ricarda Bauernfeind worked cohesively, controlling the race as one brightly coloured unit.

Antonia looked particularly strong, repeatedly pushing the pace on the day’s key climbs. With 17km to go, she followed a sharp move from Monica Trinca-Colonel (LIV) on the brutal Muro de Biurrin (0.4km at 9.3%) and found herself in an escape of four. Unfortunately, her freedom was short-lived, as Lidl-Trek quickly reeled it back in, but not without having to expend their own resources in the process.

Cresting the final, more gradual climb with 10km to go, Soraya was still comfortably positioned in the diminished bunch. The small, punchy rollers that broke up the mostly false-flat descent to the line suited her well, and as Pamplona drew nearer, Antonia, Cecilie, and Ricarda were all in for the sprint.

Sports Director Davide Arzeni shared his thoughts on the day’s performance:

“I’m really satisfied because the girls committed to the plan and to their team roles. Some riders dropped because they worked hard in the first part of the race, and I’m proud of their hard work.

In modern cycling, riders have to be ready to help each other if you want good results. I’m happy because Soraya has worked for her teammates since the start of the season, and now she’s getting a result herself.

Rica and Cille are also building towards good form for the next races. We know we’ll face other rivals at Itzulia, but today’s performance gives us motivation. We’re ready to fight for results – in the GC and in the stages.”

Next up is a short recovery before the three-day WorldTour-level Itzulia Women kicks off this Friday. The squad will be bolstered by Justyna Czapla, joining five riders from Navarra: Wilma Aintila, Ricarda Bauernfeind, Antonia Niedermaier, Soraya Paladin, and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. After today’s positive result, spirits are buoyed and motivation is boosted as focus shifts to the weekend’s bigger test.