Paula Blasi claimed overall victory at the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Femenina, securing an other big success on her young career at her home race. Following her dominant performance and stage win at La Molina yesterday, the 23-year-old Catalan rider successfully defended the leader’s jersey today thanks to a strong team effort from UAE Team ADQ.
The third and final stage covered 111.4 kilometres from Mataró to Barcelona and was shaped by a long breakaway of four riders. In the peloton, Blasi’s teammates delivered a flawless performance to keep the race under control. Alena Amialiusik, Silvia Persico and Eleonora Gasparrini stayed alongside their leader throughout the day, helping manage the gap before the breakaway was reeled in with six kilometres remaining.
The stage ended in a bunch sprint won by Marianne Vos (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), while Silvia Persico secured ninth place. Blasi safely finished in the main group, allowing her to celebrate an emotional overall victory in front of her home fans.
In the final general classification, Blasi finished 1:24 ahead of Célia Gery (FDJ-SUEZ), with Sidney Swierenga (Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team) completing the podium at 1:42. The Catalan rider also won the Young Riders’ Classification, the King of the Mountains classification and the jersey for the best Catalan rider.
Paula Blasi said: “Winning the Volta a Catalunya is something truly incredible. To do it here, in my homeland and in front of my people, makes it even more special. I was amazed by the support and encouragement I received every day along the roads of Catalonia. As a Catalan rider, I am proud to have written my name into the history of this race alongside some great champions.
I would like to thank my teammates, who did an outstanding job throughout the week. They were always there for me and supported me in every situation. It was fantastic to share the joy of this victory with them. Now I’ll take a couple of days to recover before turning my full attention to the National Championships.”
(ph. Getty Sport)
