Anya wins prize for combativity in La Vuelta Femenina

Under the Spanish sun, Anya Louw of AG Insurance - Soudal claimed the prize of Combativity in the seventh stage of La Vuelta Femenina. The stage, stretching from San Esteban de Gormaz to Sigüenza over a distance of 139 kilometers, provided the riders with challenging, undulating landscapes.

Anya launched an attack at the 40 kilometer mark in the race, breaking away with a small group. However, 30 kilometer after the attack the peloton caught the breakaway and echelons began to form rapidly. With 56 kilometers remaining, Anya found herself in the second group of echelons, but she initiated an attack to catch the leading group. In the final ten kilometers of the race, attacks in the leading group came thick and fast. Anya delivered a strong performance, finishing 21st, just 41 seconds behind the winner Marianne Vos.

At kilometer 22 from the finish line, Sarah was involved in a crash, but she was able to immediately get back on her bike and continue the race.

"Today's goal was to position the entire team strongly, as there was a threat of crosswinds in various sections. In one of the main crosswind sections, a breakaway formed, and I managed to bridge across to join them. I then attempted to lead for a few minutes to ensure I reached the biggest crosswind section ahead of the peloton. Fortunately, the peloton had already split by the time they caught the breakaway, allowing me to ride in the first echelons. The group stayed away until the finish, so I am pretty happy with that day!", said Anya after the race.