Superb Vos takes second stage win in La Vuelta Femenina
Marianne Vos has won the fourth stage of the Vuelta Femenina. The 35-year-old Jumbo-Visma rider won the sprint of a select group in the streets of Guadalajara. The bonus seconds allowed Vos to further extend her lead in the general classification.
Although stage four was marked as flat, the riders had to tackle several climbs. Four escapees took the lead early on, but their attack was short-lived, partly thanks to Team Jumbo-Visma.
The peloton was considerably thinned out on the Alto de Horche, the day's only categorised climb. Vos, Amber Kraak and Riejanne Markus were in the lead group for the Dutch team.
On the final descent, Demi Vollering and Liane Lippert attacked, but the work of Kraak and Markus neutralised their attack. Marlen Reusser tried to surprise her rivals in the final kilometre, but Chloe Dygert closed the gap. Vos took full advantage and sprinted to her second win in a row.
"After yesterday's echelon stage, you could feel the tension in the peloton"
"It was not an easy stage. After yesterday's echelon stage, you could feel the tension in the peloton. Due to the climbs ahead, every team wanted to be at the front. We needed to stay calm and not let the lead group get too far away. The girls did a great job of bringing back the breakaway."
Vos admits that the attack by Vollering and Lippert could have been decisive. "When they go, you know it's serious. But there was a lot of wind, which was probably not in their favour. Additionally, Amber and Riejanne made every effort to close the gap. Of course, it just has to happen, but sprinting is much easier when the team does all the work for you."