In the third stage (115 km) of the Vuelta a Burgos on Saturday, Liv Racing showed its active side. The purple brigade was represented in several breakaways and climbed the final slope to Ojo Guareña with four riders in the front group. Soraya Paladin finished tenth and climbed to ninth place in the general classification (+5 seconds).
“We had a good race and the riders did their jobs very well. Pauliena Rooijakkers was in the front for a while with two other escapees. And in the deep final Sabrina Stultiens went on the attack with Evita Muzic. That’s how I like to see it. It’s a pity that Sabrina’s attack didn’t get a bit more space”, says sports director Lars Boom.
“We hoped to get far with Pauliena Rooijakkers today, in principle she is our best climber. The whole team did a great job, including Marta Jaskulska, who was slightly injured after yesterday’s crash. Unfortunately, Pauliena started the final climb a bit too far from the back. She lost time.”
Soraya Paladin is now ninth in the overall standings. Sabrina Stultiens, who crossed the finish line in 19th place today (11 seconds behind stage winner Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig) is also close in the general classification. “Tomorrow we have the last stage. It ends with a steep, slightly longer climb. We’ll see on Sunday how the legs of our highest ranked riders are.”
Photo credits: Cor Vos