Isabella Holmgren claimed her first professional road win in style at the Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria, launching a decisive solo move on the final climb and holding off all challengers to cross the line alone in Durango. The 19-year-old Canadian delivered a performance that showed maturity beyond her years, attacking with 10km to go and making full use of the technical descent to stay clear.
The peloton tackled four laps of a shorter circuit before heading into the hillier second half of the 113km route. Early action came from Eva Anguela and Catalina Soto Campos, who each claimed intermediate sprint points, but the first serious attack was launched by Elena Hartmann at around 30km to go. The Ceratizit rider carved out a gap of over a minute before being reeled in just as the decisive climbs approached.
The final 40km featured three ascents, including two passes of the Alto de Goiuria. The field began to splinter over the penultimate climb as teams began forcing the pace, setting up for the inevitable late moves. Ruth Edwards attacked first to thin the group, with Barbara Malcotti later jumping clear on the steepest part of the Alto de Goiuria.
Holmgren’s attack came just after, as she surged clear solo on the upper slopes of the final ascent. Évita Muzic and Ane Santesteban initially tried to follow, but Holmgren quickly opened a gap and committed fully to the descent. With a 14-second advantage at the 2km mark, she held her nerve and position to seal the biggest win of her career to date.
Photo Credit: GettyHolmgren: “I just went full gas until the line”
“I really couldn’t believe that I won, I didn’t even have a celebration at the line,” Holmgren said after finishing. “We knew the race would be made on the final climb, so we went all in there. I noticed I had a small gap and just went full gas until the line. It was a pretty technical descent, so being alone was an advantage. I could take the corners how I wanted and pick the best line. I’m just so happy!”
While Holmgren and Muzic had long crossed the line, Thalita de Jong threw her arms in the air in celebration as she took the sprint for third from the reduced chasing group. For the Dutch rider, the gesture marked a personal triumph in a hard-fought contest, and a sign that her form continues to rise after a strong ride at Itzulia. “I’m happy with my progress,” de Jong said. “I felt good the whole day, and the sprint legs are coming back. Especially after a harder race, I showed today I still have something left in the tank.”
Her teammate Barbara Malcotti had earlier attacked on the final climb, holding a gap before being caught on the descent. De Jong explained her finishing tactics: “I didn’t help to close the gap because Barbara was up ahead. Longo Borghini was leading our group down the descent, and I just wanted to have my own space for the sprint, so I went to the front and started a long sprint. I didn’t want to get boxed in.” Malcotti placed seventh, while Edwards’ aggression on the penultimate climb helped set up both riders’ results. De Jong’s animated finish and post-race reaction underlined how much the podium meant.
Perekitko and Gontova hold on for top 20
For the French team, Karolina Perekitko and Nadia Gontova once again delivered strong but slightly frustrating rides, finishing 15th and 17th respectively after fading in the final kilometres. The duo had clung to the lead group deep into the finale, but each was distanced on the slopes of the Alto de Goiuria.
“The real race started on the final climb,” said Perekitko. “I wanted to be among the leaders, but I was a little tired. It was impossible to keep up. These situations happen, but I’m staying motivated and looking forward to Burgos.” Gontova added: “The plan was to make the race tough to help Karolina. I wasn’t able to get clear, so I rode at the front to narrow the gap. We gave it everything.” Despite missing the top ten, their efforts contributed to a third-best team result on the day.
2025 Durango Durango result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Main photo credit: Getty
