We finished Setmana Valenciana with Lisa Klein sixth on the final day and Hannah Ludwig sixth in the general classification. The fourth and final stage came down to the wire with breakaway rider Urška Žigart (BEX) holding off a fast-finishing peloton.
“The team went for me in the final today,” explained Lisa.
“They chased so hard and were really committed. Alice (Barnes) did a super strong final pull but I missed her wheel and had to move up in the wind. My positioning could have been better with one kilometre to go, but I made it to Sheyla’s (Gutierrez) wheel and sprinted. I got swamped my two riders in the finish. I would have loved to give the team a top three.”
Lisa continued, “I gained a lot of confidence today. My climbing was better and I enjoyed racing with such a committed group. Everyone got a chance for a result and I’m grateful for mine. Thanks to my teammates and our staff!”
Teammate Hannah Ludwig said she was happy with her overall result and finishing sixth in the overall.
“I tried to race for the best result every day. I had such a rollercoaster start to the season where I didn’t race well, so I am very happy with the last races that I feel good again,” said Hannah.
“Today we tried to make the climbs hard but everything ran back together each time. At one point I was then also trying to help the team for the sprint, with as much as I had left,” added Hannah.
The tour was won by Annemiek van Vleuten (MOV). Omer Shapira finished the tour third on the mountain classification. Alongside Hannah’s fifth on the general classification she placed second in the youth classification.