With an outstanding display of determination, strength, and tactical intelligence, Paula Blasi powered to victory today at the U23 Women’s Road Race European Championships in France, securing another prestigious achievement for UAE Team ADQ.
After claiming bronze at the World Championships, the young Spanish rider once again showcased her talent with a brilliant performance. The race was initially animated by a long solo breakaway from a German rider, before the main favorites took control in the decisive climbs. Blasi remained consistently among the strongest, giving the impression that she had everything under control.
In the finale, she launched a decisive attack that left her rivals behind, allowing her to ride solo to a well-deserved victory. On the podium, silver went to Italy’s Eleonora Ciabocco, bronze to France’s Julie Bego, while Slovakia’s Viktória Chladoňová finished just off the podium in fourth place.
For Paula Blasi, this triumph marks another significant milestone in what is already a remarkable season, confirming her status as one of the brightest emerging talents in women’s cycling.
Paula Blasi said: “It was a really demanding circuit with two small opening laps, a long climb, and then another two short laps at the end. On the longest climb I wasn’t well positioned and I lost some ground, but once I managed to get back to the front of the race, I realized that I had good legs today because I closed quite a big gap with ease. I still didn’t feel at my limit, and that gave me even more confidence.
In the final two short laps there were more climbs, about 1.5 kilometers with pitches up to 11%. We went up at a really high pace and two riders gained an advantage of about a minute and a half, but eventually France and the Netherlands worked to close the gap. On the last climb there were four of us left at the front: me, Ciabocco, Bego, and Chladoňová, and we managed to get away.
Then I started thinking about the sprint, but I didn’t feel confident, so with two and a half kilometers to go I decided to attack to be safer. I gained a few seconds, the others hesitated a bit, and I just pushed full gas all the way to the finish line. I gave it everything, and when I saw with one kilometer to go that I still had a good gap, I told myself this was a chance I had to seize. Crossing the line solo was something incredible, and I’m really, really happy.”
(ph. Getty Sport)
