Six Liv Racing TeqFind riders started their season today in the first stage of the Setmana Ciclista-Volta Comunitat Valenciana Fèmines. The team immediately showed itself in multiple ways.
It was no easy start for the peloton in Valencia. Immediately after the start the roads went up to the summit of the Alto de L`Oronet. No attacks were launched on the climb, but there was a fierce fight for the mountain jersey. Katia Ragusa reached the summit first and had to go to the podium after the stage to collect the polka dot jersey. “In the meeting before the stage we talked about the plan to go for the jersey. It was nice our plan succeeded and I could take the polka dot jersey. It is a nice way to start the season this way. As a team we rode very well, so we can be satisfied with this first day.”
Not only Ragusa was in the spotlights today, teammate Caroline Andersson launched an attack with 30 kilometres to go. Nobody followed in her wheel, so Andersson went on alone. The Liv Racing TeqFind rider took one minute advantage on the bunch, but with a little more than 10 kilometres from the finish Andersson`s adventure was over.
“It is very nice to start the road season like this. I felt good all day and tried my luck in the final 30 kilometres. It wasn`t planned and unfortunately nobody went with me. Still it was nice to be in the front alone in a race like this and show our beautiful jersey to everyone. I am happy with my form and how this first day went. For the team it was a good first day here with Katia taking the mountain jersey”, Andersson told after the race.
Eventually the stage ended in a bunch sprint, which was won by Italian champion Elisa Balsamo. Quinty Ton finished just outside the top-10 in 11th place. Tomorrow there will be some more climbing, with three classified climbs in the first part of the stage.