Enamkumeen Bira - Overview
Amanda Spratt (Mitchelton-Scott) took a solo victory in the finale stage 4 at the Women's WorldTour Emakumeen Bira, claiming the overall title in the 2018 edition of the race.
Spratt won the final stage in Iurreta by 1:16 ahead of chasing duo Elisa Longo Borghini (Wiggle High5) and Olga Zabelinskaya (Cogeas).
The victory bumped her up into the top spot of the overall classification and she won the title ahead of her teammate and stage 2 winner Annemiek Van Vleuten by 48 seconds. Anna van der Breggen (Boels Dolmans) finished third overall, 59 seconds back.
2018 Emakumeen Bira - top 10 Results
| # | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amanda Spratt (Aus) Mitchelton Scott Women | 3:19:25 |
| 2 | Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Wiggle High5 | 0:01:16 |
| 3 | Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus) Cogeas | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
| 4 | Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Movistar Team Women | 0:02:12 |
| 5 | Ane Santesteban (Spa) Ale Cipollini | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
| 6 | Sabrina Stultiens (Ned) Waowdeals Pro Cycling Team | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
| 7 | Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (RSA) Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling Team | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
| 8 | Anna van der Breggen (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam | Row 7 - Cell 2 |
| 9 | Annemiek van Vleuten (Ned) Mitchelton Scott Women | Row 8 - Cell 2 |
| 10 | Anouska Koster (Ned) Waowdeals Pro Cycling Team | 0:02:40 |
| # | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amanda Spratt (Aus) Mitchelton Scott Women | 9:50:26 |
| 2 | Annemiek van Vleuten (Ned) Mitchelton Scott Women | 0:00:48 |
| 3 | Anna van der Breggen (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam | 0:00:59 |
| 4 | Georgia Williams (NZl) Mitchelton Scott Women | 0:01:20 |
| 5 | Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita) Wiggle High5 | 0:01:27 |
| 6 | Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (RSA) Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling Team | 0:01:42 |
| 7 | Olga Zabelinskaya (Rus) Cogeas | 0:01:52 |
| 8 | Pauliena Rooijakkers (Ned) Waowdeals Pro Cycling Team | 0:02:07 |
| 9 | Clara Koppenburg (Ger) Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling Team | 0:02:34 |
| 10 | Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Movistar Team Women | 0:03:13 |
Overview
Emakumeen Bira is the newest addition to the 2018 Women's WorldTour. It was one of three new events added to the series, expanding it to 23 events this season. The race is held from May 19-22 in Spain.
The Spanish race has been around for 30 years, so it's hard to believe that this the first year it is part of the Women's WorldTour. Lots of climbing make this event one of the most challenging stage races outside of the Giro Rosa.
This year, however, the best teams in the world are forced to choose between racing in Emakumeen Bira or the Tour of California, as the two races overlap by one day.
Anna van der Breggen and her Boels Dolmans team have confirmed that they will compete at Emakumeen Bira this year.
Past winners include Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, Emma Johansson, Kasia Niewiadoma and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot.
2018 Emakumeen Bira:
Stage 1: Saturday, May 19, 2018 - Legazpi - Legazpi, 108km
Stage 2: Sunday, May 20, 2018 - Gazteiz-Vitoria - Gazteiz-Vitoria, 27km
Stage 3: Monday, May 21, 2018 - Aretxabaleta - Aretxabaleta, 22km
Stage 4: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 - Iurreta - Iurreta, 50km
