February 5th, 2023
Perfect attacking game from Dutchwoman + German champion delivers women’s Movistar Team first success of 2023 in Valencia.
An incredible way to open their Movistar Team career. The Blues’ two signings for their 2023 women’s roster, Floortje Mackaij and Liane Lippert, showed their character on the attack and dominated the scene with a 1-2 at the Vuelta CV Féminas, held on Sunday morning over a challenging 93km course from Paterna to Valencia. A display of quality to open the Telefónica-backed squad’s account in their sixth season in the peloton.
Mackaij and Lippert went into a five-rider selection formed on the brutal final ascent of La Frontera (just over 4km at almost 10% avg.), together with Nosková (ZAF, 3rd), Koppenburg (COF) and Magnaldi (UAD). Using their strength in numbers in the best possible way, the Blue duo filled the last 15km with attacks until Mackaij was twice able to open a decisive gap and go solo towards the line. Behind the Dutchwoman, Lippert comfortably won the sprint for second and secured the double.
QUOTES / Floortje Mackaij:
“You couldn’t really ask for a better start to the season. The way we raced today is the reason why I love cycling. Doing it alongside this group, with a friend like Liane by my side – it was a fantastic day. We went the five of us at Frontera and there was a moment when we decided to play our cards individually and just not go to a sprint. We knew that Liane was fast, but both of us can deliver a good result in such circumstances, and with attacks, we had more cards to play. I think it played out well in the end.
“Reaching the line solo and enjoying is probably the best way to achieve a victory. This gives me so much morale heading into the classics season, though I will have to more races here in Spain, in Almería (Saturday 11th) and the Setmana Valenciana (16-19), to enjoy the sun of this country. Who do I dedicate this to? There’s so many loved ones I’ve got in mind right now, but undoubtedly, this has to go to the whole Movistar Team, for the way they’ve taken care of me so far. It’s a true family.”
