Annemiek Van Vleuten wins Setmana Ciclista Valenciana 2021 as Movistar flex their muscles

Alice Barnes back to winning ways after taking stage three sprint victory

Annemiek van Vleuten
(Image credit: Bas Czerwinski/Getty Images)

Despite a stage one crash, Annemiek van Vleuten won the four-day Setmana Valenciana Femines on Sunday. The European champion won that opening stage with a margin of 2.06, Spanish champion Mavi García (Alé-BTC Ljubljana) second on the day and hanging on to the same place on GC.

All four stages contained significant climbing, but with the GC decided on the opening day it made for a lopsided race. What was clear though is that, despite a less than illustrious start list, Movistar are looking ominously strong, the victory coming a week after their last stage race victory at Luxembourg’s Festival Elsy Jacobs.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, covering professional cycling and specialising in women's road racing. He has followed races such as the Women's Tour and Giro d'Italia Donne, live-tweeting from Women's WorldTour events as well as providing race reports, interviews, analysis and news stories. He has also worked for race teams, to provide post race reports and communications.