UAE Team ADQ claimed a strong double top-10 result in Stage 3 of La Vuelta España Femenina, with Paula Blasi finishing fifth and Mavi Garcia ninth after 121.2 kilometres from Padrón to A Coruña.
The stage once again featured a rolling and technical route, full of potential pitfalls. An early breakaway animated the race, before Australia’s Felicity Wilson-Haffenden (Lidl-Trek) remained solo at the front for a long stretch. Her effort came to an end after the acceleration of the favourites’ group on a coastal climb overlooking the Atlantic.
UAE Team ADQ delivered another solid collective performance throughout the day. Greta Marturano, Erica Magnaldi and Maeva Squiban all played an important role in supporting their teammates and keeping the team well positioned at the front of the peloton in a stage open to multiple scenarios.
On the climbs, it was Kasia Niewiadoma (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) who raised the pace on several occasions, splitting the group and testing the contenders. Both Blasi and Garcia responded strongly to every move, while Magnaldi managed to rejoin again the front group in the final kilometres.
The stage victory went to France’s Cédrine Kerbaol (EF Education-Oatly), who launched a decisive late attack before taking advantage of a long downhill run to the finish, holding off the chasing favourites.
Behind, Blasi and Garcia secured valuable top-10 finishes in the sprint from the reduced group.
After working hard for the team, Maeva Squiban lost contact in the finale and with it surrendered the Queen of the Mountains jersey.
The day was also marked by bad luck for UAE Team ADQ, as Greta Marturano crashed.
La Vuelta España Femenina continues tomorrow with Stage 4, a 115.6km route from Monforte de Lemos to Antas de Ulla.
(ph. Getty Sport)
