the belgian Justine Ghekiere achieved this Sunday first victory as a professional by winning the Setmana Ciclista-Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana feminine, finishing second in the fourth and final stage with the same time as the sprint winner, the Dutch Elise Uijen (DSM).
Ghekiere of AG Insurance Quick-Step snatched the final victory by a second to her teammate the South African Ashleigh Moolman, who started the fourth and final stage as the leader, but gave up 16 seconds that deprived him of the final victory.
Uijen, who finished the race in twenty-first place at 52 seconds, prevailed in the sprint in the final stage, 113 kilometers between Tavernes de la Valldigna and Gandía, with the same time as Ghekiere, with whom the stage victory was played. This duo led the peloton in those 16 seconds.
The podium, five seconds ahead of third, was completed by the Australian Amanda Spratt (Trek-Segafredo), while the current world champion, Annemiek van Vleuten, started her last season as a professional in this race with a fourth place.
Final General of the Cycling Setmana 2023
1st Justine Ghekiere (Quick-Step) – 12h 44:42
2nd Ashleigh Moolman (Quick-Step) – at 1″
3rd Amanda Spratt (Trek) – 5″
4th Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) – 7″