Mackaij and Lippert celebrate after the race(Image credit: Dario BelingheriGetty Images)
The lead group on the flat run towards the finish(Image credit: Dario BelingheriGetty Images)
Clara Koppenburg (Cofidis) leads the way up the climb of La Frontera (Image credit: Dario BelingheriGetty Images)
The peloton early on in the race(Image credit: Dario BelingheriGetty Images)
Floortje Mackaij took Movistar's first victory of the 2023 season, leading home a one-two at the Vuelta CV Feminas.
The Dutchwoman soloed to the win 32 seconds ahead of teammate Liane Lippert having attacked from a small group at 9km from the end of the 93km race. Nikola Noskova (Zaaf) rounded out the podium in third place.
The win is the ninth of Mackaij's career and her first with Movistar on her debut with the team after transferring from Team DSM over the winter.
"I couldn't ask for a better start of the season like this," Mackaij said after the race. "This is why I like cycling. Since winter I'm already super happy with the team, with training everything has been going well, and I couldn't wish for a better start."
Mackaij had come to the top of the final climb of the day, La Frontera at 50km to go, with four others – Lippert, Noskova plus Clara Koppenburg (Cofidis) and Enrica Magnaldi (UAE Development Team).
That group emerged as the strongest on the inclines, growing their advantage on the descent and ensuring that the race winner would come from the quintet.
"We were with four, five in the end. It was good to be with five people pushing together and then people playing their attacks in the final," Mackaij said.
"We had several cards to play and Liane is really fast. We had a lot of options but solo is the nicest and best way to finish it off."
Behind Mackaij, it was a comfortable second place for Lippert, who easily came out on top in the sprint for second place ahead of Noskova while Magnaldi and Koppenburg trailed in further behind.
Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.
