Setmana Valenciana did and didn’t teach us anything ahead of the Classics.
Cor Vos
Happy second week of the Winter Olympics, for those who celebrate. Women’s hockey just wrapped up the quarterfinals, and (no spoilers) the last semifinal was a nailbiter.
There was also bike racing over the weekend! Setmana Valenciana may not be a WorldTour race, but for years, WorldTeams have used it as prep/a form feeler for the upcoming Spring Classics. This year was no different, with Demi Vollering starting her season in Spain. It’s clear that the 2023 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift winner is ready to pull in some top results this year, but there are a few new names hot on her heels.
First things first: ICYM Valenciana…
The first stage almost didn’t go ahead. Windy conditions had the peloton hesitating, and after a vote, the vast majority of the field wanted to call the stage, but in the end, FDJ United-Suez and the race organisers won out, and the stage took place. Good for Vollering, who went on to take the stage by 52 seconds. In the full live coverage on YouTube, you can see the pre-stage confusion before the race eventually went ahead.
Peloton votes
Confusion
Here are the full highlights of the first stage, including Vollering’s winning attack.
The second stage, which included some crashes (one that took out Liv AlUla Jayco’s Silke Smulders), ended in a reduced sprint, won by Cat Ferguson. The young British rider has now won two races already this year, solidifying herself as a rider to watch in the upcoming Spring races.
After the third stage was cancelled due to strong winds, the fourth and final stage came down to a select group of five. Vollering won again, solidifying her second overall title at the race.
Maeva Squiban of UAE Team ADQ had another strong performance, finishing second in stage 1, third in stage 4, and second overall. Mie Bjørndal Ottestad (Uno-X Mobility) finished third overall, a fantastic place for the Norwegian rider, and Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM-zondacrypto) was fourth overall after a few strong rides.
Racing continues…
Not this week! Next up: OMLOOP HET NIEUWSBLAD on February 28.
While you wait for cycling to really pick up in a few weeks, why not tune into some Winter Olympics? As promised, here is the list of events I will be tuning into in the second week (all times are CET):
Wednesday, February 18 – 9:45 Women’s Team Sprint Qualifiers (XC Skiing), 10:00 Women’s Slalom run 1 (Alpine), 11:45 Women’s Team Sprint Finals (XC Skiing), 13:30 Slalom Run 2 (Alpine), 14:00 2-woman Bobsled Training, 20:51 Women’s 3000 Relay Finals (Short Track Speed Skating),
Thursday, February 19 – 9:50 Sprint Heats (Ski Mountaineering, 12:55 Semis, 13:55 Finals), 14:00 2-woman Bobsled Training, 14:40 Women’s Hockey Bronze Medal Game Switzerland v Sweden, 19:00 Women’s Figure Skating Free, 19:10 Women’s Hockey Gold Medal Game USA v CAN
Friday, February 20 – 16:30 Women’s 1500 (Speed Skating, 20:15 Quarterfinals, 21:00 Semis, 22:00 Finals), 18:00 2-woman Bobsled Heat 1 (19:50 Heat 2)
Saturday, February 21 – 13:30 Ski Mountaineering Mixed Relay, 15:50 Women’s Mass Start Semifinals (Speed Skating), 17:15 Women’s Mass Start Finals (Speed Skating), 19:00 2-woman Bobsled Heat 3 (21:05 Heat 4)
Sunday, February 22 – 10:00 Women’s 50 km Mass Start Classic (XC Skiing), 14:10 Men’s Hockey Gold Medal Game, 20:00 Closing Ceremonies
Monday, February 23 – All Day Cry
Wheel Talk podcast
After a windy edition of Setmana Valenciana, Gracie, Loren, and I chat about the Spanish stage race that attracts a good amount of top talent. We also break down the new Paris Roubaix Femmes course, what it means, and how the change of date will impact the race. Finally, it’s back to the Winter Olympics to talk about which retired riders would return to the peloton today and throw their hats in the ring.
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