GREAT START AT THE SETMANA CICLISTA VALENCIANA

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The Team Alé - CIpollini has been a big protagonist in the openingday of the Spanish stage race, thanks to the performances by Diana Peñuela, author of a solo breakaway of about 70 kms which permitted her to become the leader of the sprints classification, and Soraya Paladin, leader of the climbers and second at the finish in Candia behind the American Ruth Winder.

The stage (126kms between Cullera and Candia) was divided in two moments: the flat, first part, where the Colombian Diana Peñuela has been the main protagonist with her solo attack for about 70 kms. She passed first in the intermediate sprint, becoming the first leader of this special classification. The race “exploded” in the second, harder phase, with the climbs of Alto de Barxeta and Alto de Barx: Soraya Paladin attacked with a small group and won the first climb and passed second on the last one, a result that gives her the jersey as provisional best climber. The small group with Soraya has about 50’’ in the descend to Candia and goes for the stage sprint, where the talented athlete from Treviso finished second.

Tomorrow there is the second stage, 98 kms from Borriol to Vila-real.

Quotes by the Team Manager Fortunato Lacquaniti: “The athletes performed with intelligence, and it was able to resist and attack on very hard climbs. We are on the right way for our first, big goal, the Northern Classics, which are very important for us. We go on with faith and good mood for the next stages”.

RESULTS STAGE 1 SETMANA CICLISTA VALENCIANA:

1. Ruth Winder
2. Soraya PALADIN
3. Karol-Ann Canuel
40. Anna TREVISI
75. Karlijn SWINKELS
105. Jelena ERIC
113. Diana PEÑUELA
119. Giorgia BARIANI

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION:

1. Ruth Winder
2. Soraya PALADIN
3. Karol-Ann Canuel
40. Anna TREVISI
75. Karlijn SWINKELS
105. Jelena ERIC
109. Diana PEÑUELA
119. Giorgia BARIANI

Photo (c) Anton Vos