We had a successful day at Vuelta a Burgos finishing in Villarcayo in Spain. Alice Barnes won the bunch sprint for second place and Elise Chabbey moved into the lead in the general classification.

While Anastasiia Chursina (ALE) crossed the line to win the stage solo, Alice was brought into contention for the podium by her teammates, particular Hannah Barnes and Omer Shapira who had done a lot of the chasing. Alice opened the sprint early and held off former world champion Amalie Dideriksen to cross the line for her career-third Women’s World Tour stage podium. The success comes on the back of a stage win at Setmana Valenciana two weeks ago.

“The breakaway had four minutes before the final climb but we didn’t want to chase too hard and me not be able to get back to the group after the climb,” explained Alice after the finish line.

“Hannah waited after the climb to help bring me back to the group, and then when I was there we started to chase the two leaders that were ahead.”

“I knew the final chicane was important to be at the front, but even more so when it was raining for the final three kilometres. The team did great to put me there in front where I wanted to be. It’s risky starting the sprint early but it’s when I’ve done my best sprints and had my best results. In my sprint today and in Valenciana I set my best one-minute power efforts so it’s what works for me.”

Alice added, “We didn’t realise Elise had gone into the leader’s jersey until we go back to the camper after the stage. The team committed fully to me for today’s stage but to get the GC lead from a different effort and focus is a bonus. We’re really enjoying racing together and we’re seeing it in the results too.”

After Elise finished second in yesterday’s opening stage, the Swiss road champion was delighted to pull on her first ever Women’s World Tour leader’s jersey.

“I’m a little surprised that I’m now a leader of a Women’s World Tour race! I’ve not been in this position before but I’m going to go with it and enjoy it tomorrow. Our only focus today was to have a bunch sprint for Alice. We had a lot of teamwork throughout the stage. Hannah brought Alice back to the main group after the last climb, Omer was chasing, Kasia did the final lead out. I’m really proud of everyone’s work,” said Elise.

Elise wears the leader’s jersey going into the third and penultimate stage.

Stage 3 | Medina de Pomar – Ojo Guareña | 115.4km | 12:37CEST-15:55CEST

Stage 4 | Quintanar de la Sierra – Lagunas de Neila | 121.6km | 11:51CEST-16:00CEST

The race can be followed on Twitter with #UCIWWT and #BurgosFem. The stages are broadcast daily at 15:00CEST on Teledeporte, Castilla y León Televisión, TV3, Eurosport, FloSports, GCN, NOS and Zello App.

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