Rome, the Eternal City, once again proves to be a winning ground for UAE Team ADQ.
One year after their 2023 triumph, the Emirati squad returns to the top step of the podium at the Gran Premio della Liberazione Donne, with an incredible performance by Paula Blasi, who celebrates her first professional victory. Veteran rider Sofia Bertizzolo played a key tactical role and finished third, while young talent Eilidh Shaw crossed the line in a strong fourth place.
It was a day to remember for Paula Blasi, a 22-year-old Spanish rider who only took up cycling just over a year ago, after competing in duathlon and triathlon. On the iconic 96 km Terme di Caracalla circuit in Rome, she showed her full potential and racing instinct.
The race came alive midway through, when Blasi launched a breakaway alongside Silvia Milesi (BePink – Imatra – Bongioanni). The duo initially maintained a slim gap of 15 to 20 seconds over the peloton, but gradually extended their advantage. With two and a half laps to go, Blasi made her decisive move, dropping her breakaway companion and powering solo toward the finish line.
Behind her, Milesi held on for second place, while UAE Team ADQ completed a stellar performance with Bertizzolo taking third and Shaw finishing just off the podium in fourth.
Paula Blasi, who lives in Llivia (La Cerdanya, Catalonia), said after her first professional win: “It was a crazy race. We were going really fast all day. It was tough and exhausting from start to finish. I wasn’t even supposed to race today, but the team called me in at the last minute. The plan was to make the race hard from the halfway point and try to create a breakaway. I was the first to try, and together with another rider, we managed to open a gap. I felt really good, I was confident, and I knew I had a strong team behind me to cover any counterattacks. I just followed the advice of my Sports Director, Davide Gani, and I managed to take the win. This is my first victory of the year, my first win in a UAE Team ADQ jersey, and my first ever as a professional. I honestly have no words to describe what just happened – maybe I haven’t fully realized it yet – but I’m incredibly happy.”
Sofia Bertizzolo, who played a key role guiding the young teammates and finished third, added:
“It was a great race, really fast. The first attack went straight away with Paula, who was absolutely brilliant. We stayed in control behind, and in the end, we set up the sprint really well. All the young girls from the Development Team did an amazing job – especially Eilidh Shaw, who was fantastic and helped us secure two more top results.”
(ph. Flaviano Ossola / BICITV)
