Markus secures final podium with third place in final stage La Vuelta Femenina

Markus secures final podium with third place in final stage La Vuelta Femenina

In the final stage of La Vuelta Femenina, Riejanne Markus vigorously defended her position on the podium in the overall classification. She kept up with the leaders during the challenging mountain stage but ultimately had to concede to Demi Vollering's superiority. Markus finished third, securing her second place in the overall classification.

Thirteen riders, among them Marianne Vos, surged ahead early in the final stage of the Spanish race. The fast pace in the peloton led to the catch of the breakaway group on the first climb of the day by the significantly reduced peloton, which included Markus.

It then took a long time before any attacks were made on the day's final climb. Six kilometers before the finish, it was Vollering who made her first attack. Markus seemed to be able to keep up but ultimately fell short of following Vollering on the steep slopes of the Valdesqui. Behind Vollering, a strong Markus climbed to third place.

"The whole team gave everything they had today, and I'm super happy that it turned out this way"

Riejanne Markus

“It was a very nice battle,” Markus said afterwards. The whole team gave everything they had today, and I'm super happy that it turned out this way. A few kilometers before the summit, I rode away, and then it was completely up to me. Luckily, it was very tough at the top, which allowed me to make the difference. Last year I fell just outside the podium on the last day, and now I even move up another spot, which is really nice.”

With two stage wins and winning the points classification, Vos and the team can look back on a successful week. “The week started well with a team time trial, and after that, we were always competing for stage wins and were in a good position in the general classification. We can look back on a very nice week with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. I am satisfied with my spring, and of course, it is nice to be able to close the period like this,“ Vos concludes her story.

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