Usoa Ostolaza of Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi secured a solo victory on stage 2 of the Tour Féminin des Pyrénées, conquering the famed Col d’Aubisque. Ostolaza crossed the finish line 26 seconds ahead of Valentina Cavallar and 58 seconds ahead of her teammate Yurani Blanco.
The queen stage, a challenging 96km route, began in Pierrefitte-Nestalas and concluded at the summit of the 16km climb up the Col d’Aubisque. Ostolaza caught Cavallar, who had been leading the race alone, with four kilometres to go. She then extended her lead to secure the win.
“It is a very special victory. We are very happy with the race we have done and for getting the victory in a mountain pass as important as the Aubisque,” Ostolaza said. “We knew that the team could do a good job and that we had the potential to compete for the victory, and that’s how it happened.”
Ostolaza praised her teammates for their efforts, explaining, “My teammates did a great job up to the foot of the Aubisque to keep the race under control. Once we started the pass, each one went to her place. Yurani [Blanco] and I have gone from less to more, measuring the pace, and in the end, I was able to win and Yurani has achieved third place. Tomorrow, we will fight for the overall classification and to win the stage.”
With one stage remaining, Ostolaza leads the overall classification by 31 seconds, ahead of Cavallar, with Blanco in third place, 58 seconds behind. The final stage will be a hilly 125.5km race from Nay to Bosdarros.
Valentina Cavallar, who finished second on the stage and is now second overall, reflected on her performance: “Even though I would have preferred to win, I am aware that it is only my 10th day of racing as a professional. I tried to attack on the last climb so as not to have any regrets, but I was countered and ended up finishing second. I want to thank my teammates for the great job they did all day, placing me in the best conditions.”
Arkéa – B&B Hotels Women’s directeur sportif, Grégoire Le Calvé, expressed his satisfaction with Cavallar’s performance: “We took control of the race for Valentina. The girls did a great job getting her into the best possible conditions. She finished second at the summit of the Col d’Aubisque. It’s a great performance for her 10th day of racing as a professional. There are still things to work on, but she is learning quickly. We also won the team classification today, which shows the good involvement and teamwork. Tomorrow, we will focus on the final stage from Nay to Bosdarros.”
2024 Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées Stage 2 result
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