Lizzie Deignan 9th in Spanish race Emakumeen Nafarroako Klasiko, Hannah Barnes 33rd. Only 35 finishers as World champion Annemiek van Vleuten wins in style
News: Women’s Racing Returns
World champion Annemiek van Vleuten returned to racing in style today, claiming victory at Emakumeen Nafarroako Klasiko in what was only her second race of the 2020 season and second solo win in the rainbow jersey. Lizzie Deignan 9th and Hannah Barnes 33rd.
The race marked an official return to racing for women’s teams following on from almost five months away from racing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 37-year-old World Champion cast any doubt in form aside, launching away from Anna van der Breggen (Boels-Dolmans) on the final climb, before catching and passing solo leader Mavi Garcia (Alé-BTC Ljubljana) on the descent to take a magnificent solo victory; a tactic which was become her signature trademark.
With a wide range of teams on the start line, months without racing and hot temperatures, the day was set for a very active race. After 60kilometres and two categorised climbs, a break was yet to form but the pace saw the peloton reduce down to around 30riders.
As reduced front group headed up the six-kilometre, first category climb, Etxauri, the first breakaway of the day formed. A group of four riders managed to escape over the top and establish a solid rhythm, riding out to around a one-minute advantage. With all eyes on her, Van Vleuten showed everyone she was ready to race, making it into an elite selection on the third climb of the day, that successfully bridged across to the front four riders before another split occurred.
Van Vleuten broke away in what proved to be an important move with five other riders, including her great rival and compatriot Van der Breggen.
… continued after advert
The winning move
Garcia took her chance with just over 20kilometres to go, jumping away from the leaders with a strong solo attack and quickly establishing a one-minute lead. However, on the final climb, Zuarrarrate, Garcia’s lead significantly reduced after multiple attacks and counter attacks flew from the strong chasing group. This saw Van der Breggen break away with Van Vleuten close behind on the wheel.
Van Vleuten showed experience and patience, waiting for a good moment and as Van der Breggen slowed, the world champion counter attacked, leaving the Olympic champion in her shadow. The Mitchelton-SCOTT rider continued to press on, catching and passing the solo leader Garcia after a small rise on the descent, before enjoying a spectacular solo victory.
Annemiek Van Vleuten: “I am super happy to begin like this. It is a dream second start to the season, it’s my second race so I have won two out of two races, it can’t be better. To win solo is awesome too, I could really enjoy the last 500metres.
“I was a little bit nervous coming from altitude just two days ago so I didn’t know how I would feel but I love to race in Northern Spain so that’s also why I came here and it was great to test the legs after an altitude block.
“At the start I didn’t have any expectation to win to be honest, because Lucy (Kennedy) and Amanda (Spratt) were actually the leaders today. Just the girls weren’t really on an awesome day, so they dropped on the third climb and I came there with a small group on the top of that climb.
“I am of course happy I won but I am really very happy because I also raced tactically smart. On the final descent with five kilometres to go there was a small 300metre uphill and I had that really in my mind. We did a recon and I knew it was a good opportunity. I caught Mavi (Garcia) by surprise because I was very prepared for it and then I held on for the final four kilometres to the finish.
“I am very happy with the day and also I want to give a shout out to the organisation with how they organised it, how they kept it safe and made sure everyone was tested here, they were very serious.”
Emakumeen Nafarroako Klasiko Results:
1. Annemiek van Vleuten (Mitchelton-SCOTT)
2. Mavi Garcia (Alé-BTC Ljubljana)
3. Anna van der Breggen (Boels-Dolmans)
Lizzie Deignan 9th
Hannah Barnes 33rd.
Only 35 finishers.
Cycle Division’s Shop
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- BMCR RESULTS – DARLEY MOOR
- Crit Result: Haus RT – Darley Moor #2
- News: British Road Champs Return to NE
- TT Result: Circuit Of Ingleborough
- RR Result: Wally Gimber RR
- TT Result: Cardiff Ajax CC TT
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU TT
- TT Result: CTT Classic Series 1
- TT Result: GTR – Return To Life Two Up TT
- TT Result: Hainault RC Hilly 50km TT
- NEXT WEEKEND: Peaks Two Day is Back!
- News: Laura Kenny Retires
- RR Result: Gifford National B
- RR Results: Junior Men’s & Women’s CiCLE Classic
- Crit Result: Salt Ayre Spring Series 2
- Crit Result: Exeter Uni Early Season Crits
- Team News: Lee Valley Youth Cycling Team
- 2024/25 CYCLO-CROSS CALENDAR
- Startlist: Cardiff Ajax CC 10 Mile TT
- TT Result: Bristol Uni CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Matlock CC 25m TT
- TT Result: Lea Valley CC 25m TT
- TT Result: Port Talbot Whs 25m Two Up
- Startlists: 16th Gifford Road Races (Scotland)
- News: Ellingworth is new Tour of Britain Director
- RR Result: NCRA Spring Handicap RR 2
- Crit Result: Full Gas Spring Rumble Series #2
- Crit Result: Spring MK Bowl Series
- Startlist: Circuit of Ingleborough TT
- TT Result: Swindon Hardriders 30m TT
- STARTLIST: Evesham Vale Road Race 2024
- Track Result: Manchester Regional Track League
- Mammoth fields for Women’s/Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- BMCR Result: Harold ‘H’ Nelson Memorial
- HC Result: Darlington CC Hill Climb
- TT Result: GTR – Return To Life Mad March 10 TT
- TT Result: A3crg Road Bike TT
- Crit Result: Salt Ayre Spring Series #1
- Crit Result: Haus RT Darley Moor #1
- TT Result: Kernow Racing Team 10m TT
Other News on VeloUK
- News: British Road Champs Return to NE
- NEXT WEEKEND: Peaks Two Day is Back!
- News: Laura Kenny Retires
- Team News: Lee Valley Youth Cycling Team
- 2024/25 CYCLO-CROSS CALENDAR
- Startlist: Cardiff Ajax CC 10 Mile TT
- Startlists: 16th Gifford Road Races (Scotland)
- News: Ellingworth is new Tour of Britain Director
- Startlist: Circuit of Ingleborough TT
- STARTLIST: Evesham Vale Road Race 2024
- Mammoth fields for Women’s/Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- Saturday: Fusion Media Women’s Series Rd 1
- Saint Piran’s Global Women’s Project
- Ribble Rebellion: The Riders
- Team News: Ribble Rebellion Team Launch
- British Classics – 64th Wally Gimber Trophy
- Startlist: 62nd Eddie Soens
- Startlist: 10th Junior Men’s CiCLE Classic (March 17)
- Startlist: 8th Women’s CiCLE Classic (March 17)
- Startlist: 40th Jock Wadley Memorial RR
- Riders: Azets Spring Classic (March 24)
- Bike News: DJ Spoony’s Special & unique Ribble Ultra SL R
- GB Team News: Helen Scott now Men’s Sprint Podium Potential Coach
- Startlist: Royal Navy Cup 2024
- News: Halesowen Academy 2024
- Report: Day 3 British Track Championships
- New Women’s Series in the Midlands
- News: RideLondon Classique
- Event News: CiCLE Classic (Women & Junior Men)
- Quiz Time! Toby Bush (Fensham Howes – MAS Design)
- 2024 Otley CC Race Team
- News: British Cycling Elite Development Teams
- Startlist: Velo Club St Raphael TT
- Team News: Fensham Howes – MAS Design RT Launch
- Ladies: Join BMCR for £10!
- 2024 TEAMS: Shibden Apex RT Junior Men
- Entry List: Clayton Spring Classic Handicap
- 2024 British Teams – Sigma Sports RT
- TEAM NEWS: Max Walker joins Astana
- News: trainSharp Orro Elite Team Launch