Paula Blasi stormed to a commanding solo victory at the 2025 Périgord Ladies, capping off a complete team performance by UAE Team ADQ and continuing her remarkable rise in the elite ranks. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who only began racing just over a year ago, dropped her breakaway companions with a long-range attack to take her third UCI win of the season.
Crossing the line alone in Boulazac-Isle-Manoire, Blasi finished two minutes and one second ahead of teammate Karlijn Swinkels, who led in the chasing group for a UAE one-two. Dominika Wlodarczyk and Maëva Squiban also made the top 10 in sixth and eighth, respectively, underlining the team’s dominance.
Saturday’s 120.7km race featured a rolling route through the Dordogne and a fast, technical finish in Boulazac. From the start, UAE Team ADQ were in full control. A 15-rider breakaway formed on the approach to the Col de Badefols, and all six of the Emirati squad’s riders made it across: Blasi, Swinkels, Squiban, Wlodarczyk, Francesca Pellegrini, and Lara Gillespie.
With total numerical superiority, UAE set a punishing tempo. Midway through the race, Blasi made her move, attacking solo and immediately opening a gap. Despite the break containing some strong chasers, no one could bring her back. Her move sealed not only the biggest win of her young career, but also her third UCI victory of 2025 – a season she began with the UAE Development Team before stepping up to the WorldTour squad in May.
Photo Credit: Tour du LimousinBlasi has already won the Catalan Championship and both Spanish U23 national titles this year, and Saturday’s win confirmed her growing reputation as one of the most promising young climbers in the peloton.
Behind, Swinkels comfortably won the sprint for second place and continues to build form ahead of the Tour de France Femmes, which begins later this month. Pellegrini was awarded most combative rider, while Squiban claimed best climber and top French finisher honours in eighth place. FDJ-Suez’s Églantine Rayer was seventh and the top finisher for her team.
UAE Team ADQ return to racing on Sunday at La Picto-Charentaise, where they’ll look to carry forward their momentum from a near-perfect day in the Périgord.
2025 La Périgord Ladies
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Main photo credit: Tour du Limousin
