After finishing second in 2023 and third in 2024, Erica Magnaldi finally celebrates victory at the Grand Prix Féminin de Chambéry.
The 32-year-old Italian from UAE Team ADQ delivered a flawless performance to claim her second career victory, seven years after her first win – also in France – during a stage of the 2018 Tour de l’Ardèche.
From the very start, Magnaldi was determined to go for the top step of the podium, and thanks to the crucial support of her teammates, she made her move count – securing UAE Team ADQ’s 10th win of the season.
Backing up the team’s outstanding performance were Greta Marturano, who finished fifth, and Paula Blasi, who came home sixth.
The 119.4 km race, with start and finish in Chambéry, was always under control by the team. When the action started to heat up, Magnaldi, Marturano, and Blasi were all part of the lead group.
With just over 40 km to go, a front group of five riders formed, including both Magnaldi and Marturano. Eventually, only three remained at the front, and before the final lap, Magnaldi launched a solo attack. She quickly opened a gap and continued to extend it all the way to the finish line.
Magnaldi crossed the line in style, 1’18” ahead of Mona Mitterwallner (Human Powered Health) and 2’33” ahead of Léa Curinier (FDJ-Suez).
Erica Magnaldi said after the victory: “It was a beautiful race, we rode really well, all the girls did a great job and I’m really happy to be back winning. We wanted to make the race hard to try and drop our rivals, and that’s exactly what we did. Greta, Paula and I stayed at the front, we tried several attacks and then I found the right moment to go solo and just kept pushing until the finish. I kept thinking I didn’t want to get caught – I really wanted this win. After finishing second and third in the past, I knew this race suited me and I also knew I was in good shape. I’d been chasing this win for a while – to repay the team’s trust and also for myself. It took some time, but celebrating today felt amazing. It’s a great confidence boost for the upcoming races.” Magnaldi will be back in action on Wednesday at La Flèche Wallonne.
(ph. Florian Frison)
