After yesterday`s team time trial it was time to sprint during the second stage of La Vuelta Femenina. Rachele Barbieri showed her fast legs and finished inside the top-5.
The second stage brought the peloton to Pilar de la Horadada. At 20 kilometres the Puerto de Rebate was the only hurdle of the day. Four escapees animated the stage, but were caught with 40 kilometres to go. With the climb of the day looming on the horizon the peloton got more nervous, which caused some crashes. Luckily all Liv Racing TeqFind riders stayed safe. On the climb some accelerations followed, but that wasn`t enough to drop the fast riders.
After 105,8 kilometres a bunch sprint brought the decision in this stage. Rachele Barbieri had her eyes on this stage and went for a good result. The Italian sprinter crossed the line in fifth place, the stage win went to Charlotte Kool.
“After yesterday`s stage I had an allergic reaction, so I was happy that I could start the stage today. During the race I felt good. Also the climb didn`t cause me any problems. In the last kilometres I was a little too far back before the sprint started. It was really hectic and chaotic, you really had to fight for your place. I think I had the legs for the podium today, but it is what it is. Luckily the team reached the finish safely and stayed out of trouble. Now we will focus on tomorrow and give it another shot for a good result”, Barbieri commented after the stage.