Karlijn Swinkels claimed a great victory at the Trofeo Binissalem–Andratx, the third and final round of the Challenge Mallorca Femenina, capping off another outstanding day for UAE Team ADQ. The team also placed Eleonora Gasparrini in sixth position and Maeva Squiban in eighth.
Due to strong winds, the race was shortened to 75.5 kilometres, from Binissalem to Port d’Andratx, a change that also influenced the tactical approach of the day.
An early breakaway of eight riders managed to gain ground, with both Karlijn Swinkels and Eleonora Gasparrini joining the move alongside several strong contenders, including climbers such as De Jong, Ottestad and Silvestri. The lead group gradually extended its advantage to almost two minutes and reached the base of the demanding final climb – just under four kilometres long – with a gap of around 1’45”.
On a false-flat section, Gasparrini launched an attack that forced the others to chase, further reducing the size of the leading group. On the final ramps of the climb, it was Swinkels who made the decisive move, with only Liane Lippert (Movistar Team) and Mie Bjørndal Ottestad (Uno-X Mobility) able to follow.
In the uphill sprint to the finish, Swinkels proved to be the most explosive, taking a clear victory and celebrating her first win of the season – the second in tree days for UAE Team ADQ.
After the race, Karlijn Swinkels said: “This was a really special day. I think throughout this Challenge we showed exceptional teamwork every single day, and today I’m very happy that I was able to take the win. We started with a lot of confidence and high morale after Maeva’s victory on the first day. It certainly wasn’t easy, as today was another very tough race, but everything came together and I couldn’t miss this opportunity to win.”
(ph. Aymeric Lassak)
