Cédrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT) secured a rain-soaked solo victory at Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria. The Frenchwoman made a late-race attack out of a three-rider breakaway and crossed the line with five seconds to spare ahead of the sprint for second place between runner-up Evita Muzic (FDJ-SUEZ) and third-placed Thalita de Jong (Lotto Dstny).
The race started under challenging weather conditions, with rain pouring during the first half, adding an element of unpredictability and threatening to play a crucial role in the outcome.
Article continues belowAlthough there was plenty of activity in the first half, the peloton remained intact along the opening circuits and over the intermediate sprint up the short Alto de Miota.
In the later stages of the race, a two-rider breakaway, including Lotta Henttala (EF Education-Cannondale) and Nina Berton (Ceratizit-WNT), emerged. The pair pushed their lead out to nearly a minute with under 40km to go. Although it was a valiant effort, Berton distanced Hentalla, and then they were both caught by a reduced peloton back together with 25km remaining.
Jelena Erić (Movistar) and Ana Vitória Magalhães (Bepink-Bongioanni) launched late-race attacks, but they were also brought back into the fold on the final ascent of Alto de Goiuria.
FDJ-SUEZ, with powerful climbers Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig and Evita Muzic, led the reduced field up the lower slopes of the climb as splits and smaller groups formed.
Muzic emerged at the front, followed by Thalita de Jong (Lotto Dstny), and the pair gained 15 seconds over the top with 7km to go. Cédrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT), who was close behind the two, managed to reconnect on the descent.
Kerbaol made her late-race and winning attack in the closing kilometres, distancing herself from Muzic and De Jong on the run-in to Durango. Racing through rain-soaked city streets, the Frenchwoman stormed across the finish line with the day's win.
Results
Results powered by FirstCycling
-
'At the half-way point, I was four minutes behind' - Unbound Gravel winner Cameron Jones surpasses Keegan Swenson's record time at The White Rim
New Zealander sets new FKT on 100-mile, rugged Utah route by making up deficit and trimming nearly five minutes from US rider's mark -
'He can attack in the most random places' – Tadej Pogačar ponders potential tactical headache of Remco Evenepoel at Tour of Flanders
Road World Champion says 'you can never let him go in front with a couple of seconds, because it's almost impossible to catch him' -
'I don't consider myself in the big four' – Wout van Aert 'older and wiser' but avoids talking himself up for major Tour of Flanders battle
Belgian says rivals like Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogačar will 'have something more than all the others' on Sunday -
Woes continue for Arnaud De Lie as Lotto Intermarché rider ruled out of Tour of Flanders
Belgian Classics star misses De Ronde with illness with hopes to be fit in time for Paris-Roubaix
