After yesterday’s brilliant success, Team DSM were back in action today for the third stage at La Vuelta Femenina where they were looking to go for it again with in an expected sprint finish on the cards, but all eyes were on the sky and potential crosswinds throughout the day as the bunch rolled out of Elche de la Sierra.
It was an attacking start to the stage with several moves going clear and gaining a small advantage over the bunch but there was an air of nervousness swirling around the peloton, much like the wind above them. Heading into the second half of the stage the peloton split into three main groups with all Team DSM riders brilliantly making the front selection of 55 riders. Continuing to ride well in the front group, the pace remained high and at around 40 kilometres to go the team once again seized the initiative and trimmed the group down even further with Elise Uijen, Esmée Peperkamp, Charlotte Kool, Léa Curinier and Juliette Labous infiltrating the now 29 rider selection after some strong work by Maeve Plouffe and Francesca Barale.
As the peloton charged towards the finish in La Roda the pace remained high, with the team working well to keep the group together and set up fast finisher Kool. Going under the flamme rouge Kool was well positioned and launched her sprint in sight of the line. Putting the power down, she gave everything she had but would have to settle for second place with Vos holding on and winning the stage. With several riders caught up in the groups behind, today also saw the team’s GC finisher Labous move into the top 15 overall as the race heads for the hills tomorrow.
