Lidl-Trek narrowly win opening team time trial at La Vuelta Femenina after late crash

Gaia Realini takes an early lead over her rivals in the general classification

Lidl-Trek in the opening team time trial of the Vuelta Femenina
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Starting in a similar fashion to the last two editions of La Vuelta Femenina, this year’s race began with an opening team time trial, with the riders rolling off the ramp to take on a 16km-long course around Valencia.

It was a tightly contested stage, with all of the top teams battling it out to give their leaders an early advantage in the general classification. However, it was Lidl-Trek that emerged victorious, as they averaged just under 50km/h to finish in a time of 19:20, with Gaia Realini leading the team across the line to take the first leader’s jersey of the race.

EF Education-Cannondale set the early benchmark with the first sub-20 minute time of the stage before several of the favourites’ teams headed out onto the course. However, when Visma-Lease a Bike went through the intermediate split at the halfway point, it was clear that they would not be at the top for much longer.

All eyes were on Lidl-Trek though, as they were the quickest team over the first half of the course, with eight seconds of an advantage on Visma-Lease a Bike at the intermediate split. Coming into the finale, the riders were in formation and strung out in a line, but as they exited the final corner Ellen van Dijk got on the pedals slightly too early and her back wheel slipped out, which caused her to crash along with Elynor Bäckstedt who was right behind her.

The last team off the ramp at the start was Movistar, but they were unable to contest the victory, finishing 12 seconds down on Lidl-Trek, who took a well-earned victory as well as the first maillot rojo of the race, which Realini will be wearing on stage 2 from Buñol to Moncofa.

When asked in her post-race interview whether they will now look to hold on to the leader’s jersey, Realini replied “for sure, we will take this jersey and defend for the next stage”.

The Italian rider also reflected on a fast team time trial and a chaotic finale, as she said “I’m really happy about this result for me and for the team, but I’m not completely happy because in the last corner two of my teammates crashed. In the end we will take this result and focus for the next stage”.

RESULTS: LA VUELTA FEMENINA, STAGE ONE, VALENCIA > VALENCIA (16KM)

1. Lidl-Trek, in 19:20
2. Visma-Lease a Bike, same time
3. SD Worx-Protime, +1s
4. Canyon-SRAM, +8s
5. EF Education-Cannondale, +9s
6. FDJ-SUEZ, same time
7. Liv AlUla Jayco, +10s
8. Movistar, +12s
9. dsm-firmenich PostNL, +17s
10. AG Insurance-Soudal, +32s

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE ONE

1. Gaia Realini (Ita) Lidl-Trek, in 19:20
2. Lizzie Deignan (GBr) Lidl-Trek
3. Brodie Chapman (Aus) Lidl-Trek
4. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Lidl-Trek
5. Amanda Spratt (Aus) Lidl-Trek
6. Elynor Bäckstedt (GBr) Lidl-Trek
7. Ellen van Dijk (Ned) Lidl-Trek
8. Riejanne Markus (Ned) Visma-Lease a Bike
9. Anna Henderson (GBr) Visma-Lease a Bike
10. Marianne Vos (Ned) Visma-Lease a Bike, all at same time

Explore More

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

Joseph Lycett

Joseph Lycett is a freelance journalist for Cycling Weekly, who contributes to our WorldTour racing coverage with race reports and news stories. Joe is also a keen cyclist, regularly racing in his local crits and time trials.