The ninth edition of the Setmana Ciclista Volta Femenina de la Comunitat Valenciana is living up to its strengthening reputation as a thrilling early-season showdown, growing in stature and competitiveness year on year.

With a stacked 148-rider field featuring many strong teams and notable names, the first two stages of the UCI 2.Pro classified event were fiercely contested. Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka has once again showcased the fine form that she has brought into the new season, placing 7th in stage one and 6th in stage two.

In the build-up to the event, the tour was touted as difficult but without truly decisive moments, suggesting opportunistic racing would be more pivotal than pure brute strength.

This hypothesis was shattered on the opening day, which culminated in a tandem of climbs and descents iconic to Setmana Ciclista Valenciana. Despite seven previous iterations of this course heavily favouring bunch sprints over breakaways, this year’s proved to be an exception. The peloton gradually dissolved on the 6km climb of Alto de Barx, with Vollering (TFS), Van der Breggen (SDW) and Reusser (MOV) distancing themselves further from the whittled-down front. Vollering rode away solo to claim victory.

Unable to match the pace when Vollering’s final lead-out rider finished her effort midway up the climb, Kasia Niewiadoma eventually settled into a large chasing peloton alongside Agnieszka and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. After cresting the climb and navigating the fast 15km descent to the finish, they crossed the line 1:30 minutes in arrears.

Given the fierce nature of the opening day, the outcome of the 134km stage from Benicàssim to Nules was far from certain. The peloton faced 1850m of elevation gain through steady mountainous terrain, including the Alto Les Coronetes (8.1km at 4.4%), before a long, flat coastal run to the line. Would it be a controlled affair, or would the stage be lit up once again?

FDJ-SUEZ, defending the leader’s jersey, took control, managing the gap to a two-rider breakaway of van Agt (TVL) and Chapman (UAD). By the halfway mark, only Chapman remained out front. Despite bursts of action on the steady Alto de Salt del Cavall with just over 30km remaining, which briefly reduced the bunch to less than 30 riders including Kasia and Cecilie, a large peloton of nearly 70 riders reformed for a likely sprint.

The lone leader was caught with 4km remaining, with the sprint trains already well in formation. Nastya Kolesava led through a fast chicane inside the final kilometre, stretching out the peloton and setting up Kasia to launch a late move. Although it didn’t stick and Kasia was absorbed by the charging sprinters, her move opened up space for Agnieszka to have a clearer run to the line.

Two more days of Setmana Ciclista Valenciana remain, with stage three looking likely to see either a bunch sprint or a daring breakaway. On paper, stage four is the most demanding of the tour, although there are questions over whether the outcome will reflect the challenging course profile. Given the racing so far and the level of competition in Valenciana, the race remains wide open.

Unfortunately, CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto suffered a blow in stage two with Awen Roberts crashing out – further updates on our socials as we have them.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Setmana Ciclista Volta Feminina de la Comunitat Valenciana is live-streamed on the Sports Public TV Youtube channel. You can also follow the race on X using #SetmanaCiclista, as well as through the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto social channels.

Stage 3 | 118km | 990m | Saturday 15 February | Sagunto  – Valencia | Start 11:00 CET – fastest finish 14:09.

Stage 4 | 132.5km| 2200m | Sunday 16 February | Elche – Alicante | Start 11:00 CET – fastest finish 14:34.

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