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Bis number! Demi Vollering also triumphs in the second stage in Itzulia

The second stage in Itzulia Women consisted of 117.9 kilometres between start and finish Mallabia. Along the way, the riders faced six official climbs. Team SD Worx came to the start with a clear goal: to defend Demi Vollering’s leader’s jersey. Sometimes the attack is the best defence and so Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio slipped into the early breakaway together with Anastasia Carbonari and Alicia González. “There had been some attack attempts and we didn’t want to let the dangerous riders for the classification escape,” Demi Vollering explained. “Then Ashleigh came to sit in an ideal group in front, which created a nice situation for the team. But it kept raining attacks, so we had to stay attentive.”

The leading group was caught. The race was about to break loose on the Karrabieta (7.3 km at 5%). Team SD Worx was fully present at the front with Anna Shackley, Niamh Fisher-Black, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio and Demi Vollering. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio first shook the tree, but was brought back. Then it was Demi Vollering who tried to open the debates, but she didn’t get any space either. Niamh Fisher-Black: “We all had the legs to win and would attack in turns. Then Marta Cavalli made a winner’s move and Demi was able to move with her. In the chasing group we could see how the race would develop. The fact that all four of us were still in the race at the top of Karrabieta showed that we were the strongest team today.”

It provided the ideal situation for Vollering. “I was in the perfect position. I could take it a little bit more easy, because all my teammates were still in the group behind me. So when everything came back together, that was also good for me.” Even so, the Dutchman put pressure on the rest of her fellow escapees on the descent. “I had a lot of confidence. Thanks to our new wheels, I felt very confident on the descent. I knew this stage would suit me and I had hoped for a double victory, but I hadn’t dared to dream about it beforehand. Everything depends on the course and how it unfolds, but it was the perfect scenario. Today was fantastic. The team did a perfect job.”

Then Vollering coolly finished it off in the uphill sprint. The Dutch rider is currently unbeatable in Itzulia Women. “These stages suit me. I felt I was the strongest, but I didn’t want to come too early. These are finishes that I love. Why I am so strong? After the Ardennes I still felt fresh and I added a big training block. I am now reaping the benefits of that. It is very nice to feel that my form continues to grow. Of course I hope to win the GC tomorrow. The stage already looks very steep and painful, but I have all the cards in hand to win the jersey. So let it come,” she concluded with a smile.

General classifications after stage 2

  1. Demi VOLLERING
  2. Pauliena Rooijakkers – 22″
  3. Kristen Faulkner – 42″
  4. Marta Cavalli – 1’00”
  5. Olivia Baril – 1’01”
  6. Juliette Labous – 1’08”
  7. Ashleigh MOOLMAN-PASIO – 1’21”
  8. Elise Chabbey – 1’22”
  9. Niamh FISHER-BLACK – 1’22”
  10. Floortje Mackaij –  1’22”

Leader points classification: Demi VOLLERING

Leader youth classification: Niamh FISHER-BLACK

Leader team ranking: TEAM SD WORX

Leader mountain classification: Elise Chabbey

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