Thalita de Jong delivered a stunning performance to win the Trofeo Binissalem-Andratx, the third and final race in the Challenge Mallorca Femenina. The Dutch rider overpowered her rivals on the steep final climb to secure her first victory of the 2025 season.
The 31-year-old launched her decisive move with 800 metres to go on the 1.7km climb to Port d’Andratx, catching early attacker Cรฉdrine Kerbaol before dropping her with 400 metres remaining. Silvia Persico came through late to claim second place, leaving Kerbaol to settle for third.
โThis was an amazing feeling,โ de Jong said after the race. โWe had such a good time ride today. It felt so good to catch and then go solo, Iโm so proud of myself and the team. I cannot be more happy about a solo victory at the start of the season.โ
Crosswinds and chaos in the early stages
The 107.5km race from Binissalem to Port d’Andratx featured crosswinds that caused splits in the peloton early on. Mavi Garcia, runner-up in Sundayโs Trofeo Palma, was one of the most notable casualties, falling behind the front group as the wind tore through the field.
De Jong reflected on the early team effort, saying, โIt was super special because we knew it would split six kilometres in and we were all there so it gave a lot of confidence. On the climbs I attacked and Carlotta would then attack so we were so strong. Lily came back and did a really good pace on the climb so no one could recover and that was ideal. I wanted to finish it off for the whole team because we raced so well.โ
Human Powered Health played an active role in the dayโs action, helping to force the splits. Garcia, however, managed to fight her way back into contention, rejoining the front group of around 20 riders just inside the 30km mark.
The final climb decides the race
The decisive action unfolded on the closing climb, where Kerbaol made the first move. The Frenchwoman attacked 200 metres into the climb and immediately opened a gap, prompting a thinning of the lead group as the strongest climbers emerged.
De Jong, however, timed her response perfectly. โWhen Kerbaol started I thought, โJust take your own pace. If you go too fast, you blow up, then itโs overโ. I saw that I could catch her and then a few more times standing on the pedals and she had to drop and I got a nice victory.โ
Kerbaol looked set to hold on to second place before Persico surged past her in the final metres to finish 13 seconds behind de Jong. Kerbaol crossed the line a further second adrift, while Katrine Aalerud and Garcia rounded out the top five.
De Jong praised her teamโs cohesion after the race. โItโs so good to see that we all trust each other and we are new girls in the team but we gelled from the start,โ she said. โWe believe in ourselves and will keep up this good work.โ
2025 Benissalem-Andratx result
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