In the second stage of this year’s Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, Marlen Reusser of SD Worx clinched victory with a stunning solo effort. Reusser’s breakaway in the final kilometres proved unstoppable, earning her the win. Marianne Vos, like in the opening stage, sprinted to second place behind the Swiss rider.
The stage offered various possibilities, with a sprint in La Vall d’Uixó on the cards but requiring exceptional performance from fast riders due to two climbs in the final forty kilometres. Despite early attempts by Margot Vanpachtenbeke and Imogen Cotter to break away, the peloton remained compact for much of the race.
As the race approached the Alto Eslida, attacks began to emerge. Although some riders managed to create gaps, Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL’s high tempo on the climb brought them back. Eventually, a select group of ten to fifteen riders formed, with Marlen Reusser among them.
With seven kilometres remaining, Reusser seized the opportunity to break away and quickly established a decisive gap. Her characteristic time-trial style proved too much for the chasing group, allowing her to solo to victory.
Behind Reusser, the battle for second place came down to a sprint. Marianne Vos comfortably secured the runner-up spot once again, reinforcing her strong performance from the previous stage. Évita Muzic finished third, with Shirin van Anrooij in fourth and Thalita de Jong in ninth.
Meanwhile, UAE Team ADQ faced challenges following the previous day’s crash, with riders Eleonora Gasparrini and Erica Magnaldi forced to retire. Only Karolina Kumiega, Anastasia Carbonari, and Federica Piergiovanni continued in the race.
Looking ahead, Juliette Labous of Team DSM expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance in the stage. Labous highlighted the strategic teamwork and her own solid position going into the remaining stages of the race.
In a post-race statement, Labous emphasised the importance of teamwork and expressed optimism for the upcoming stages. She also reflected on the challenging nature of the race and her determination to continue fighting for strong results.
Marlen Reusser’s victory not only secured her the stage win but also propelled her into the overall lead, replacing Elisa Balsamo. The race continues with the third stage, promising more excitement and competition among the riders.
2024 Setmana Ciclista Valenciana Stage 2 result
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