Paula Blasi made history Saturday. The 23-year-old UAE Team ADQ rider became the first Spanish winner of La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour.es, sealing the overall title atop L’Angliru — professional cycling’s most savage climb — after seven brutal stages that came down to a single cracking moment 3.7 kilometres from the summit.
She finished second on Stage 7 behind Petra Stiasny. Didn’t matter. By the time Blasi crossed the line, she had already overturned an 18-second deficit on Anna van der Breggen to claim the overall by 24 seconds.
The Angliru Decides Everything
Van der Breggen had taken the red jersey into the final day with an 18-second cushion over Blasi — earned with a Stage 6 victory that put the SD Worx-Protime leader in the driving seat. On paper, manageable. On L’Angliru, making its debut on the women’s race, nothing was guaranteed for anyone.
The 132.9-kilometre stage from Pola de Laviana started with a three-rider breakaway — Femke Markus, Riejanne Markus, and Liane Lippert — who built nearly four minutes before the GC contenders gradually reeled them in across the punishing pre-Angliru climbs. Lippert was the last survivor, holding the lead until 5.4 kilometres from the finish before the favourites swept past.
Gaia Realini fired the first shot inside the final 6 kilometres. Stiasny — riding the climb of her life — immediately covered the acceleration and moved to the front. With 4.5 kilometres to go, Marion Bunel pushed past Stiasny and opened a small gap. Then came the moment that defined the race.
At 3.7 kilometres out, Van der Breggen cracked. Blasi held her rhythm, kept her head, and let the gap grow.
“I knew it would be about 50 minutes, and already 5 minutes into the climb, I was on the limit. So I said, ‘just keep going, keep your pace’. Then I started seeing Anna van der Breggen struggling, and I said — let’s go for it.” — Paula Blasi
Blasi hunted Bunel down and dropped her with 3.5 kilometres to go — only for Stiasny to find another gear and come past the Spaniard on a steep hairpin inside the final 2 kilometres. From there, two separate races played out on the same road. Stiasny riding for the stage. Blasi riding for history.
Stage and GC Results
Stiasny crossed the line 23 seconds ahead of Blasi — the biggest win of her career, her first WorldTour victory. Juliette Berthet and Bunel finished together at 43 seconds for third and fourth. Van der Breggen, distanced and spent, came in 59 seconds down, surrendering the red jersey she had worn for just 24 hours.
The final GC: Blasi first in 22:17:03, Van der Breggen second at 24 seconds, Bunel third at 49 seconds — also taking the white jersey as best young rider. Usoa Ostolaza finished fourth at 2:31. Berthet’s storming Angliru performance lifted her 13 places to fifth at 2:36. Lotte Kopecky, who dominated the opening stages, claimed the green jersey, while SD Worx-Protime — despite losing the GC — took the team classification.
“I gave everything, but it just wasn’t enough… I fought for every metre, but in the end I just came up short. […] There is a feeling of pride when I look at the whole team — with three stage wins and the green jersey we have had a fantastic Vuelta Femenina.” — Anna van der Breggen
History Written in Spain
Blasi is the first Spanish rider to win La Vuelta Femenina since the race launched in 2015. The victory follows her Amstel Gold Race win earlier this spring — which made her the first Spanish cyclist, male or female, to win a Monument-level Classic. She is 23 years old.
“I still can’t believe it. Wearing the red jersey as winner of La Vuelta Femenina is something incredible. Now I just want to celebrate with my team and enjoy some rest.” — Paula Blasi
For Stiasny, the win was deeply personal. The climber had circled this stage on the calendar from the moment the parcours was announced, describing L’Angliru as her “happy place.” She delivered precisely when it mattered.
“I was looking forward to this stage for a really long time. Every day, it was a dream to win this stage. When I arrive at the Angliru, I feel free.” — Petra Stiasny
What’s Next
The UCI Women’s World Tour moves on to the Giro Donne in July, then the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in late July and August — the two remaining grand tours on the women’s calendar. Blasi, already a grand tour winner and Classic champion before her 24th birthday, arrives at both races as one of the most dangerous riders in the peloton.
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