First edition of the history of a career that has come to stay. The peloton passed the Zaldiaran pass (third category) in a group but began to break up after the first pass through Labastida, when the roads got steep in Rivas de Tereso, second class. After passing through Peñacerrada, Herrera climbed the smooth part, although to say smooth is to face some 14% ramps. The mess was mounted going down the ramps of this level.
The first serious breakout attempt came at 67 kms. from the finish line, with a group of four breakaways: Benito (MAT), Lebedeva (EIC), Savi (BPK) and Tonetti (TOP). As the two final ports had to be faced, the differences were giving way and a group of close to forty units took control of the lead. The descent of the last port, already hard for its part, did begin to make real differences. Descent with horseshoe curves and very technical. The men’s Vuelta will take place there in August.
Brand (Trek), Moolman-Pasio (SD Worx), Vollering (SD Worx) and Chabbey (Canyon) formed a competent group at the head when the route passed close to Laguardia, so they led the last kilometers with excellence taking turns and taking advantage of the fact that there was not much wind blowing. But they were absorbed and in the end the victory was played Faulkner (BikeExchange), Rooijakkers (Canyon) and Vollering, the most combative of the day. That really was the good getaway that the Dutchwoman took full advantage of through the narrow streets of Labastida.
Van Vleuten was unable to go out due to his wrist injury after falling in training; the Le Col team (the Bahrain women’s section) announced at the last minute that it would not compete in this edition and Mavi García’s UAE did not show up either for a positive case of COVID-19 within its workforce. He was not even in the presentation yesterday Thursday afternoon in the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca. On Saturday, second stage between Mallabia and Mallabia with the key pass of Karabieta a few kilometers from the finish line and on Sunday, Donostia-Donostia repeating the route of the Klásika de San Sebastián.