Dominika Włodarczyk made it back-to-back victories by winning Stage 3 of Itzulia Women, just 24 hours after celebrating her first-ever UCI Women’s WorldTour success in Stage 2. The victory marks the 13th professional win of the Polish rider’s career.
After 113.1 kilometres, the UAE Team ADQ rider proved fastest in a reduced bunch sprint on the finish line in San Sebastián, where the Basque stage race came to an end today.
It was another demanding day of racing, featuring three categorized climbs, including the legendary first-category Jaizkibel. The race came alive on the final ascent of Mendizorrotz, a second-category climb, where attacks from the GC contenders split the peloton.
A select front group was formed and, once again, Włodarczyk showed excellent positioning and climbing legs to make it into the decisive move alongside the strongest riders in the race.
For several kilometres, as the gap increased, there was even the possibility of shaking up the overall classification. In the finale, however, Mischa Bredewold (Team SD Worx – Protime) managed to bridge across to the leaders, securing overall victory in the general classification.
Włodarczyk stayed calm and focused, timing her sprint to perfection once again to take another impressive win ahead of FDJ-SUEZ duo Évita Muzic and Lauren Dickson.
It concludes an outstanding Itzulia Women for UAE Team ADQ, which despite being reduced to only three riders in the race, with Alena Ivanchenko and Federica Venturelli alongside Włodarczyk, secured two stage victories out of three. Włodarczyk also finished fifth overall in the general classification.
After the stage, Dominika Włodarczyk said: “Yesterday maybe I took a little bit of a risk celebrating a bit too early, so today I told myself to keep pushing all the way to the line. And it brought me another amazing victory.
I’m very happy also because San Sebastián is such a beautiful city. I had never been here before, and to win on this finish line makes it even more special.
After yesterday, I actually expected to feel even better today because I can feel my condition improving day by day. That’s why it’s really a pity there isn’t another stage tomorrow.
It was a very hard day, especially with the long final climb, but these are exactly the kind of courses I enjoy the most and that suit my characteristics.
Now I have three recovery days before heading to Vuelta a Burgos, where I will try again to achieve some good results. For now, I just want to enjoy these two victories, thank the whole team and celebrate this fantastic weekend.”
(ph. Getty Sport)
