Lourdes excels into 60km breakaway -solo for the last 25k- to bring Movistar Team their first UCI victory in 2019; Mavi finishes 3rd overall, with same time as overall winner Borgli (NOR).
A luxury domestique and splendid rouleur, who was struggling with injury exactly one year ago after crashing out of the Emakumeen Bira yet celebrated on Sunday at a land which is starting to become a very sweet place for her. Lourdes Oyarbide (Movistar Team) took a resounding victory at the final stage of the Vuelta a Burgos (UCI 2.1), a hilly 85km course from Pedrosa de Valdeporres to Villarcayo with three Cat-3 ascents -Ojo Guareña, Bocos and Retuerta- and a final section suited to strong riders on the flat like the Basque youngster.
Oyarbide spent three quarters of the stage into the breakaway. It was initially a solo attempt, leaving the field behind at the first descent; later on, after the Bocos climb, she was joined by Fernanda Yapura (UCI) and Eugenia Bujak (BTC); and once she got rid of both before the Retuerta ascent, Oyarbide held off the GC peloton with 25km remaining to win by 1′, with Mavi García (10th) and Eider Merino in the main field.
A top-class exhibition from the multiple Spanish champion, which rewards the group led by Jorge Sanz and Sebastián Unzué with their maiden UCI win in 2019 -the fifth so far this season-, rounded off with another podium for Mavi -3rd overall, behind Stine Borgli (NOR) and Soraya Paladin (ALE)- in the GC of the prestigious Spanish event.
REACTIONS:
Lourdes Oyarbide: “I feel so, so happy. It’s my first UCI victory ever and also the team’s first UCI success this year. We really rode well today. Our initial plan was to make things incredibly hard for the rivals so Mavi could fight for the overall. There was a ‘plan A’, which was sending riders ahead of the bunch for Mavi to jump and bridge across, but she was never left a gap; so we had to stick to ‘plan B’ (laughs), which was me staying at the front until the end. At the climbs, I wasn’t really attacking my break companions – it was simply down to the big pace all day, they just dropped back and I kept pushing. Behind, my team-mates were keeping things under control, stopping all moves, breaking the pace and allowing me staying with a gap until the end. It’s such a big satisfaction!”
Mavi García: “I felt quite well in all four stages, but the thing that left me the most satisfied about this race is the teamwork. We’ve gained loads of confidence in this race, working together really well – I’d really say we haven’t done so well in a race since the team was created, such a strong bond between all of us. Lourdes’ victory was an incredible way to crown these four days. I’ve done well in these two races, Burgos and Yorkshire, and now it’s time to think about the Bira. It’s a grueling race, with tough climbs, the best riders in the peloton… I think I’ve got what it takes to have a shot at a good result, I’m excited to show it and I hope we can offer our team some more days of joy near our HQ.”
