Team DSM’s Charlotte Kool claimed a remarkable sprint win in the second stage of La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour.es by beating Jumbo-Visma’s Marianne Vos in the final few metres of the race. It was a bittersweet ending for Vos, who had to counter a powerful attack from Canyon//SRAM’s Chloe Dygert with 350 metres to go.
A small group of four formed the breakaway of the day, but were caught going into the final 30 kilometres of the race. On the approach to the final 20 kilometres, a few short climbs spiced things up and a few attacks caused splits in the peloton. Following Team DSM’s solid performance in the time trial, they again displayed their teamwork by looking after Charlotte well when she made the front split and when the peloton regrouped in the descent. The team moved up towards the front again, getting ready for the fast run-in and the sprint for glory. The team took the initiative and brought Charlotte into the perfect position. She finished it in style to take home the stage victory for the team, after she caught late attacker Marianne Vos in the final metres.
Speaking after the race, a delighted Kool said, “I am really excited! This is my first big win at a Grand Tour, so I am really happy to do it like this at the first sprint opportunity. It was a really hectic final and we knew that upfront. I was almost boxed in, but luckily I found the right wheel. It was a really long sprint as Canyon launched it early, so it was a hard one, but I am really happy I could finish off the girls hard work today. Now we are looking forward to the next opportunity tomorrow.”
Team DSM Coach Albert Timmer added: “We went into the race with a clear plan and we followed it as far as we could. We were in control of everything throughout the whole race and did what we needed to do in the final to set up Charlotte for the sprint. There she showed what she is capable of and took the victory. We are happy to take an early win at this race to get some pressure off for the upcoming days, where we will look for more chances.”
With her second position in Pilar de la Horadada, Vos grabbed 6” bonus seconds to claim the red jersey and keep the GC lead in the Jumbo-Visma ranks ahead of Wednesday’s stage to La Roda.
Stage Results:
1. Charlotte Kool (Team DSM) in 2h41’26’’
2. Marianne Vos (Team Jumbo-Visma) at 00’’
3. Chloé Dygert (Canyon // SRAM) at 00’’
General Classification:
1. Marianne Vos (Team Jumbo-Visma) in 2h59’24’’
2. Chloe Dygert (Canyon // SRAM) at 1’’
3. Riejanne Markus (Team Jumbo-Visma) at 2’’
