The second day of racing at Vuelta a Burgos Feminas saw the peloton take on the only summit finish of the race, where the puncheurs and climbers were expected to do battle. Team dsm-firmenich PostNL set out with the plan of protecting Esmée Peperkamp for the finale, who like Megan Jastrab yesterday, is also making her return to racing here. Working well as a group throughout the day, the team did overcome a small crash for Peperkamp, Jastrab and Eglantine Rayer, with the trio coming through mostly unscathed. Heading into the final the team marked the attacks well with Jastrab and Josie Nelson both covering different moves that were brought back. Maeve Plouffe then helped to bring the squad up before the final climb started. From there it was just a race of attrition with Peperkamp digging deep and fighting all the way to the line, putting in a valiant effort.
Speaking after the finish Peperkamp said: “I am really grateful that everyone was fully dedicated to support me during the whole stage, even though I don’t know how my shape was going to be after a long period without racing. They did everything to bring me in best position before the climb, only I had some bad luck and lost the wheel of Megan just before the climb. I then just gave everything to the line. I’m also happy Eglantine, Megan and me are alright after crashing in a downhill earlier in the stage. Onto the next days.”
