Just a moment, but this time, Olivia Baril (Valcar – Travel & Service) got a convincing result at a World Tour event to show that she is truly one of the best cyclists in the world.
Saturday, on the second day of the Itzulia stage competition, Quebecer finished second on the day after battling hard against two of the best climbers on the planet.
Dutchman and general leader Demi Vollering (SD Worx) scored her second consecutive victory on the rough roads of the Basque Country. Two seconds behind, the cyclist from Rouyn-Noranda even allowed himself to be ahead of the Italian Marta Cavalli (FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope), who won the Amstel Gold Race and the Flèche Wallonne earlier this season.
My second place [samedi]like a win, because it’s hard to beat Demi Vollering! Baril commented at the end of the 118 -kilometer stage, starting and ending in Mallabia. I really measured myself against the best climbers in the world and showed that I could handle their level.
The 24-year-old athlete from Rouyn-Noranda trains in this region of Spain. He knew the roads very well. But it was largely on another motivation, that very personal, that he could count on as he confessed to Sportcom.
Before the race, my dad told me it was my grandfather’s birthday. He really loves cycling, so it’s a bit of a wink for him. He died before I was born, but he went to all the bike races at home and he was also a great cyclist.
Sherbrooke’s Magdeleine Vallières-Mill (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) ranked 21st on the day more than 3 minutes behind the winner.
Vollering has already got her yellow jersey and is 22 seconds ahead of her compatriot Pauliena Rooijakkers (Canyon / SRAM Racing). Baril was from 18th to 5th place, just over a minute behind Vollering. Vallières-Mill for his part was in 33rd place (+8 minutes 29 seconds).
This morning, at lunch, my sporting director told me he wanted the top-10 overall. Later, at the pre -race meeting, he said: Ah, finally, we made the top-5!… And now I am fifth Baril continued to swim with happiness within his new formation.
Quite a contrast to last year.
There, I had fun for the first time and the results came easier. I’m no stronger than last year. My colleagues are always behind me and the difference is insane!
The graduation of Itzulia will take place on Sunday, in San Sebastian.
At the same time in France, at the Grand Prix Morhiban (1.1), Adèle Normand (Emotional.fr-Tornatech-GSC Blagnac VS31), Simone Boilard (St-Michel-Auber93) and Émilie Fortin (Sprinter Nice Métropole) respectively graduated on the 25th. , 26th and 30th, were all in the main peloton, a minute and a half behind the winner, Australian Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance-NXTG Team).
In the men’s event, Frenchman Julien Simon (Total Énergies), Charles-Étienne Chrétien (+2 minutes 39 seconds) and Robin Plamondon (+3 minutes 53 seconds) won the sprint to finish 65th and 74th.
Two riders from the Premier Tech U23 team saw their teammates Nicolas Rivard and Francis Juneau before the end of the race.
Source: Radio-Canada