Van Vleuten and Balsamo, two icons in Madrid

September 11 th 2022 - 15:56 [GMT + 2]

The world champion Elisa Balsamo (Trek Segafredo) sprinted to victory in the final stage of the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta 22 in the Madrid circuit, where she outpowered Lotte Kopecky (Team SD Worx) and Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team ADQ). Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar Team) dominated the overall standings for the second year in a row. The Dutch star completes a historic treble after her victories in the Giro Donne and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift earlier in the season. Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo) and Demi Vollering (SD Worx) joined her on the final podium at Plaza de Cibeles.

El Resumen - Etapa 5 | #CERATIZITChallenge22

Breakaway attempts happen from the first of 17 laps of the circuit. Sandra Alonso (Ceratizit - WNT), Sara Poidevin (EF Education Tibco - SVB), Carlijin Achtereekte (Team Jumbo Visma) and Nina Buijsman (Human Powered Health) open a one minute gap to the bunch. Trek Segafredo and Canyon-Sram work together to gradually reel them in.

The breakaway is neutralised just ahead of the final lap, after a final attempt from Sandra Alonso. In the sprint, the world champion Elisa Balsamo powers to victory like she already did in Madrid in 2020.

Riding safely at the back of the bunch for most of the stage, Van Vleuten successfully retained the leader’s red jersey. The Dutch star wins the overall standings ahead of Longo Borghini (+1’44’’) and Vollering (+2’11’’). Silvia Persico (Valcar - Travel & Service) kept the green jersey from the points standings and Lucinda Brand (Trek Segafredo) was the Queen of the mountains. Mavi Garcia (UAE Team ADQ) won the final combative award.

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