Alison Jackson of EF Education-Cannondale emerged victorious in Stage 2 of the Vuelta Femenina, winning in a sprint finish after two crashes in the final three kilometres disrupted the race. Blanka Vas of SD Worx-Protime took the red jersey from Gaia Realini of Lidl-Trek by finishing second behind Jackson. Marianne Vos and Lizzie Deignan were among the riders affected by the crashes, with Deignan recently returning from a broken arm sustained in the Tour of Flanders. Jackson expressed her joy at the win, calling it a great addition to her resume.
The stage featured an early breakaway that built a three-minute lead but was gradually reeled in as the peloton approached the Cat. 3 climb of L’Oronet. Visma set a high tempo in an attempt to drop riders, successfully isolating Charlotte Kool who found herself in a chase group behind. Anneke Dijkstra and others vied for intermediate sprint points, with Vas and Grace Brown competing for the green jersey. As the race regrouped on the flat, a large group of riders remained together heading towards the finish line.
A fast and frantic finish saw rain arrive, contributing to two crashes in the final kilometres that affected several favorites, including Deignan and Vos. Kristen Faulkner’s leadout helped propel Jackson to victory, with Vas finishing second to claim the red jersey. Jackson credited her team for their support and strategy throughout the race. Deignan was taken out by the first crash, slipping on a white line after a roundabout, while Emma Norsgaard fell in the second crash.
As the red jersey changed hands and the stage victory was claimed by Jackson, the race progressed to a lumpy route from Lucena to Teruel. With potential for GC contenders to shine, the stage may favor climbers over sprinters or see an opportunistic breakaway take advantage. Despite the drama and chaos of Stage 2, riders remained focused on the challenges and opportunities presented by the Vuelta Femenina. The stage win marked a significant achievement for Jackson and EF Education-Cannondale, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement of women’s cycling.
