Liane Lippert's Solo Triumph at Vuelta CV Feminas After Masterful Movistar Teamwork

Spain - Ekhbary News Agency

Liane Lippert's Solo Triumph at Vuelta CV Feminas After Masterful Movistar Teamwork

Liane Lippert of Movistar Team has clinched a remarkable solo victory at the Vuelta CV Feminas, demonstrating both individual brilliance and the formidable strength of her team. The German cyclist launched a decisive attack in the closing kilometers of the challenging 94km race in Valencia, holding off her rivals to cross the finish line alone. Her teammate, the promising young talent Cat Ferguson, secured a commendable third place, capping off a near-perfect day for the Spanish outfit.

The race, known for its explosive nature and tactical demands, saw Movistar Team orchestrate a near-flawless campaign. While the team initially appeared to be setting up Ferguson for a sprint finish in the final 15 kilometers, a perfectly timed counter-attack by Lippert, following a powerful lead-out from Sara Martín, changed the dynamics. Martín's immense effort in the closing stages created the perfect platform for Lippert, who seized the opportunity with both hands, launching her solo bid with just 3 kilometers remaining and never looking back.

Ferguson, showing impressive form, battled hard in the reduced sprint for second place but was narrowly edged out by Shari Bossuyt of AG Insurance-Soudal. Despite missing out on the one-two, Ferguson's podium finish underscored Movistar's dominance and strategic prowess throughout the event. The young Briton's performance highlighted her growing potential in the elite women's peloton.

Reflecting on her victory, Lippert expressed her elation and gratitude for her team's support. "It was a really nice race. I knew the [final] climb was the key moment, and I think we did a really good job," she stated post-race. "I was with the best climbers, and Cat was super strong just behind and also Sara. So it was the three of us, and I think we did the perfect team job." She elaborated on the decisive move: "Sara and me kept the speed, and then I followed an attack and I felt 'OK, I have super good legs, so it's now all or nothing, just keep on going,' and I managed to arrive solo." The camaraderie was evident as she added, "I'm really happy to share the podium with Cat, it's really nice." This victory marks Lippert's first win of the season, achieved in only her third race day, signaling a strong start to her campaign.

The 94km circuit race in Valencia immediately lived up to its reputation for action. Within the first 8 kilometers, a breakaway group comprising Agua Marina Espínola, Noémie Abgrall, and Femke Van Goethem established an early lead, gaining a respectable gap of two and a half minutes. This trio, initially seen as non-threatening, was allowed to build their advantage as the peloton assessed the race dynamics.

The race dynamics shifted significantly around the 71km mark when a crash in the peloton brought down Lidl-Trek's Anna Henderson and Riejanne Markus. Silvia Milesi of Vini Fantini-BePink was forced to abandon the race due to injuries sustained in the incident. This crash caused a momentary lull in the peloton, allowing the early breakaway to maintain their advantage.

As the race tackled the first categorized climb at Oronet, Van Goethem began to struggle, dropping back from the leading duo. The approach to the second climb, the Puerto del Garbí, saw Lidl-Trek taking a more active role at the front of the peloton, working to control the gap and bring the race back together. It was on this climb that Lippert initiated a crucial acceleration, bridging the gap and forming a select group of favorites. This elite selection included riders like Maëva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ), Anna Henderson, and Julie Bego (Cofidis). They quickly absorbed Espínola, who had been dropped, leaving only Abgrall as the solitary leader ahead of the fast-descending section towards the finish.

The tactical battles intensified as the race neared its conclusion. With 38km remaining, Lippert's group of seven riders managed to catch Abgrall. However, the lead was tenuous, with a chasing group mere seconds behind, and riders scattered across the road on the descent. Upon reaching the flatter terrain, the scattered groups merged, but the respite was brief, as attacks immediately resumed, preventing any cohesive formation.

Lidl-Trek and Movistar emerged as the most aggressive teams, launching numerous probing attacks. Despite their efforts, the strong presence of multiple contenders within the regrouped bunch made it difficult for any single move to stick. The relentless pace of these attacks, however, began to thin the peloton. By the 25km mark, fewer than 30 riders remained in contention. Numerous small groups managed to gain fleeting advantages, only to be swiftly brought back by the determined chasers.

As the race entered its final 15 kilometers, the scenario increasingly pointed towards a bunch sprint, with Movistar strategically positioning themselves to lead out for Ferguson. The other teams recognized Ferguson as a primary threat and allowed Movistar to shoulder the burden of controlling the pace. Sara Martín played a pivotal role, setting a high tempo for several kilometers, effectively neutralizing any rival attacks and preserving the group's cohesion for a potential sprint finish.

However, the race's narrative took a dramatic turn when Martín pulled off with approximately 4 kilometers remaining. The moment Martín relinquished her position at the front, attacks reignited. The first notable acceleration came from Iurani Blanco, signaling the final, frantic phase of the race. It was in this chaotic finale that Lippert launched her race-winning move, a testament to her tactical acumen and powerful finishing capabilities, ultimately securing a memorable victory for herself and Movistar Team.

Ekhbary News Agency