Anna Van der Breggen broke down. Imperial this Friday during the 6th and penultimate stage of the Women’s Tour of Spain, the Dutchwoman let the red jersey slip this Saturday on the slopes of Angliru, the final justice of the peace of the event. She finally finished in 2nd place, behind the surprise Paulo Blasi, who achieved his first success on a Grand Tour at only 23 years old.
The Spaniard is having an exceptional season. Victorious in the Amstel Gold Race last April, she confirms her impressive progress and her abilities in the mountains. Only stage victories escaped her, with second places on Friday and Saturday, behind Anna Van der Breggen and Petra Stiasny.
The Swiss created a surprise this Saturday by winning on the terrible slopes of Angliru. Powerfully, the runner from the Human Powered Health team chased Paula Blasi for many kilometers before taking the advantage in the final kilometers and winning with a 23-second lead. Behind, the French Juliette Berthet and Marion Bunel also made a superb climb and finished together 43 seconds behind.
This great result, combined with her 3rd place the day before in Les Praeres, allows the latter to seek a podium in the general classification. Luxury lieutenant of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot last year on the Tour de France Femmes, the 21-year-old Tricolor was, this time, able to play her personal card. And she proves that she can join the fight for brilliant results in the week-long events. Juliette Berthet finished 5th, Évita Muzic 10th. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot finished the Vuelta in a very modest 35th place.