The closing photo for the end of the queen stage of the first edition of the “Vuelta Ciclista a Andalucía” Elite Women couldn’t have been better. The blue finish arch, located in front of the emblematic Mijas Town Hall, is flanked on one side by the “Sierra de Mijas”, where the essence of a white village can be discovered on its slopes, and on the other side, the panoramic views of the coast, the Vírgen de la Peña shrine, and its mountain range. “Today, we have enjoyed a sporting event of the highest level. The women’s race had all the excitement and dynamism of a top-level men’s sporting event, such as the “Vuelta Ciclista de Andalucía”, not to speak of its spectacular finish. Moreover, we are very pleased that this event is beginning to grow with more than 100 runners. Also, it has been watched in more than 70 countries, so we are proud that it has come to our town,” said the Mayor of Mijas, Josele González (PSOE).

“We were looking forward to the Women’s “Vuelta a Andalucía” passing through Mijas, with an exciting final stage, with those last five kilometres with the uncertainty of knowing who was going to win. There was a great atmosphere, in an impressive setting, and the cyclists surprised us with a spectacular race pace”, said the Councillor for Sports, Andrés Ruiz (Cs), who added that “it was worth it that we committed ourselves to the Vuelta so that it would pass through and arrive in Mijas”.

At 12:01 pm, the official start of the second stage of almost 119 kilometres between Malaga and Mijas took place. The first time through the flying finish in Alhaurin was for Anguela (RMC). With 103.9 kilometres to go, Ariana Gilabert (Laboral Kutxa) broke away and had a lead of four minutes over the bunch. Things were going smoothly for the leader of the Vuelta, Arlenis Sierra, who suffered a puncture with 96.9 kilometres to go before the end of the stage, a setback that did not affect her in the end. With less than 41 kilometres to go, Matilda Field (RXS) broke away, and was neutralised with 10 kilometres to go. In the last nine kilometres, there was a lead group of seven riders, with Mavi García (UAD) the last to join. There were several attacks at the front, Magnaldi’s breakaway and the final finish with Sierra’s final top speed.

Share it with this link: https://mijasint.com/?a=24044