The final day of racing in Spain for our Women’s program this week saw a 90 kilometre long stage that featured two challenging climbs, and a mountain top finish on Valdesquí. From the start the pace was strong with a lot of attacks, before Abi Smith made it into the day’s 13 rider breakaway. The rest of the Team dsm-firmenich PostNL squad surrounded and supported GC finisher Juliette Labous as they made their way to the first ascent. On the climb a strong tempo was set in the bunch and in the break, with Smith dropping back to then offer extra help in the middle of the mountain for Labous. Over the top of the climb there was only around 15 riders left in the peloton before some rejoined on the descent and following valley road. Charging onto the final ascent to Valdesquí, another strong pace was set and it became a race of attrition with riders slowly dropping from the group. That was until race leader Vollering put in a stinging attack and the group fully exploded. Labous rode at her own tempo, clawing her way back to the group ahead of her with one of the other podium candidates, Longo Borghini distanced. However, coming into the final couple of kilometres Labous had to ride at her own pace, before fighting to the line and finishing alongside Longo Borghini for sixth place on the stage; a result that sees the team secure fourth place overall at the end of the race.
Labous explained: “Today was really hard again. We had Abi in the first breakaway and it was good to have support in the middle climb. The pace was really high there and I struggled a bit but some other girls did also. We were still in the front over the top. I think then the last climb was just a really big fight. At one point Longo Borghini was dropped and I really tried to push hard, but the other girls were just stronger and I couldn’t drop her [Longo Borghini] anymore so I stayed fourth in GC in the end. I’m thankful for the work and support from the girls. I will keep working with the team to get in an even stronger shape towards the summer.”