Kasia Niewiadoma impressed in her 2024 season debut at Setmana Ciclista Volta Feminina de la Comunitat Valenciana taking second place in the general classification. Elise Chabbey had a stellar start to her season by taking seventh place overall. With a mix of experience and youth, CANYON//SRAM Racing won the team classification.

Yesterday’s queen stage saw Kasia move onto the general classification podium, and despite aggressive racing from CANYON//SRAM Racing and many other teams on the final stage, Kasia couldn’t overturn the eight second advantage to leader, Marlen Reusser (SDW). The final stage was won by Elisa Balsamo (LTK) with Kasia crossing the line in sixteenth place. Kasia and Elise Chabbey finished second and third in the mountain classification, and teammate Antonia Niedermaier was fourth in the youth classification.

RIDER REACTIONS

Kasia Niewiadoma: “Coming into the race, the first of the season for most of us, we didn’t have expectations. The four days overall went really well. From the first stage, which was a learning day for everyone to see where we were at, we progressed as the stages went on. Each day, we tried to create the right situation for our team.

I’m happy with our performance; we all did our best. For our group, a mix of experienced riders with Elise and myself and a group of younger, less experienced riders, we can be satisfied with how we started the European racing season. Second place on GC is nice, but we want to be on the top step.”

Elise Chabbey: “Overall, I surprised myself with my shape and how I felt during these four days considering I started training in January and missed a lot of my winter training.

I’m super proud of how we rode considering we had such a young team. I’m disappointed we let Reusser take so much time on stage two because at the end Kasia was just eight seconds behind winning GC. But we learn from our mistakes. I cannot wait for the rest of the season.”

Nastya Kolesava: “It was a really hard stage race! I have never worked so harmoniously as a team. I really enjoyed helping my teammates. Especially when you have done your job and then you hear on the radio that your teammates are attacking. It makes you really happy.

I’m pleased for the team to win the team classification and especially for Kasia to get on the GC podium. She is such an incredible fighter. I am very grateful to our staff for all the work they’ve done every day and for their constant support.”

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