2023 Vuelta Femenina Stage 2 | Highlights

Report

After yesterday’s solid effort in the team time trial, Team DSM proved their great teamwork again to take the top step at the first road stage of the race. The sprint train took control in the final kilometres and the team brought Charlotte Kool into position perfectly, before she launched her sprint and proved her remarkable speed to take home her third win of the year.

A small group of four formed the breakaway of the day, but were caught back going into the final 30 kilometres of the race. On the approach to the final 20 kilometres, a few short climbs spiced things up a little bit, and a few attacks caused some splits in the peloton. The team looked after Charlotte well, who made the front split and when the peloton regrouped in the descent, the team moved up towards the front again, getting ready for the fast run-in and the sprint for glory. The team took the initiative and brought Charlotte into the perfect position and she finished it in style to take home the stage victory for the team, after she caught a late attacker on the final meters.

Speaking after the race a delighted Kool said: “I am really excited! This is my first big win at a Grand Tour, so I am really happy to do it like this at the first sprint opportunity. It was a really hectic final and we knew that upfront. I was almost boxed in but luckily I found the right wheel. It was a really long sprint as Canyon launched it early, so it was a hard one, but I am really happy I could finish off the girls hard work today. Now we are looking forward to the next opportunity tomorrow.”

Team DSM Coach Albert Timmer added: “We went into the race with a clear plan and we followed it as far as we could. We were in control of everything throughout the whole race and did what we needed to do in the final to set up Charlotte for the sprint. There she showed what she is capable of and took the victory. We are happy to take an early win at this race to get some pressure off for the upcoming days, where we will look for more chances.”

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