RACE RECAP
Phew, I think it’s safe to say the finale was worth the wait, but what happened in the lead up to Ruegg’s victory in Salvaterra de Mino?
The day started off pretty steady despite the hilly course, with a few attacks but nothing really sticking. The classified climbs came and went but the action didn’t start until the intermediate sprint at 22km to go.
Won by Franzi Koch, thanks to a strong leadout by her FDJ-Suez teammate Eva van Agt. From there the speed tamped up and while no attacks really stuck, some GC riders were dropped – including Gaia Realini and Kristen Faulkner.
A crash at 8km to go hampered Marianne Vos’s chances, although she did manage to get back to the peloton and finish 7th. Just goes to show why she’s the GOAT.
A group of 5 riders had a small gap out front, with 3 riders from FDJ-Suez but they were absorbed before the final kilometre as SD Worx-Protime fought to bring it back.
An exciting final kilometre then unfolded, as Noemi Ruegg swung round Franzi Koch and Lotte Kopecky to take the win and the first La Roja of the week.
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