UAE Team ADQ rider Paula Blasi, who resides in Esplugues de Llobregat, has lived up to expectations by winning the final stage of the third edition of the Women's Volta a Catalunya. Blasi crossed the finish line solo in La Molina, showcasing strong combativeness during the ascent of Coll de la Creueta.
Blasi's decisive attack occurred 14 kilometers from the finish, establishing a lead of one minute and twenty seconds over second-placed French rider Célia Gery, and one minute and thirty-six seconds over Canadian Sidney Swierenga.
The stage, covering 130 kilometers between Sant Vicenç de Castellet and La Molina, featured a high-mountain profile with 3,300 meters of positive elevation gain, proving crucial for the general classification. Major teams controlled the race from the start, preventing any consolidated breakaway.
Blasi's team, UAE Team ADQ, set a high pace from the beginning of the Coll de la Creueta climb to support their leader, who delivered a remarkable performance all the way to La Molina, a particularly significant finish for the cyclist residing in Llívia.
With this victory, the recent champion of the Vuelta a España and the Amstel Gold Race becomes the new leader of the Volta a Catalunya. She now holds a lead of 1 minute and 24 seconds over Célia Gery and 1 minute and 42 seconds over Sidney Swierenga, heading into the final stage.
The day also saw Mireia Benito secure fifth place, placing two Catalan cyclists within the top five of the general classification and marking a historic day for Catalan cycling in the Volta.
