Vos takes the lead in the Vuelta classification, Faulkner surprises with a stage victory

NOS Cycling•yesterday, 5:15 PM

Kristen Faulkner has won the fourth stage of the Vuelta Femenina. Marianne Vos finished third and took the lead in the general classification. The Dutch woman from Visma-Lease a Bike took over the corresponding red jersey from 22-year-old Blanka Vas from Hungary, who finished fourth in Zaragoza.

Faulkner surprised in Spain by breaking away from the leading group with a few kilometers to go. She kept up her escape attempt and was the first to cross the finish line in Zaragoza.

Georgia Baker from Australia finished second.

Vos takes red leader’s jersey in Vuelta Femenina, Faulkner surprises with stage victory

The stage from Molina de Aragón to Zaragoza contained few elevation meters and so it was initially likely that a bunch sprint would determine the outcome. The more important question was therefore what role the wind would play during the stage, the longest of this Vuelta Femenina.

The ride contained many straight, long stretches without protection along the side. Add to this that there was a real chance of crosswinds, which would also have free rein due to the lack of dense vegetation. In short, ideal conditions for fan formation.

About forty minutes after the start, the first fan indeed split the peloton. About twenty riders formed the leading group, including Demi Vollering and Riejanne Markus.

Stage winners Vos and Alison Jackson were also present, as was classification leader Vas. The latter had a hard time and had to temporarily let go, but returned to the leading group for the intermediate sprint.

That intermediate sprint, about ten kilometers from the finish, was won by Vos. The Dutch took six bonus seconds and kept Vas (second) and Elisa Longo (third) behind her, virtually taking over the lead in the rankings.

It was Faulkner who surprised the leading group five kilometers from the finish line by launching an attack, just after the last steep part of the stage. The 31-year-old rider from EF Education-Cannondale kept up her escape attempt. She crossed the finish line with a lead of ten seconds.