(Montreal) Cyclist Olivia Baril (UAE Team ADQ) was on familiar ground and in great shape on the first stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Friday, on the 122-kilometre course that linked Etxebarria and Markina-Xemein. Fifth to cross the finish line 51 seconds behind the solo winner, Dutchman Demi Vollering (SD Worx), the native of Rouyn-Noranda was satisfied with her day, without however overflowing with enthusiasm.
“It’s okay, but honestly, I would have preferred to do better. In the next few days, I will aim for the intermediate sprints because it will make a big difference in the general classification. I’m really going to give it my all in the last stage on Sunday, which will be at home. I know the roads by heart, which will be an advantage, especially if it rains like today (Friday),” she explained.
“Today (Friday), Demi Vollering was really too strong on the climb. Nobody was able to follow her and I was badly positioned at the start of the last climb, so I had to chase to find myself in the second group behind Demi who was on the breakaway,” she added.
Sherbrooke’s Magdeleine Vallières-Mill (EF Education — TIBCO — SVB) ranked 52e (+8 min 7 sec).
The rain made the road slippery and this complicated the hunt on Vollering, especially for Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar), as noted by Baril, who rode with the world champion and recent winner of the Tour of Spain .
“I was behind her and she was descending very badly, so I had difficulty passing her. We spent the last three kilometers chasing Katarzyna (Niewiadoma – Canyon SRAM) and Marlen (Reusser – SD Worx).
This is an eighth victory for Vollering this season. The Dutchwoman missed the title in the final classification of the Tour of Spain by just 9 seconds at the expense of van Vleuten last Sunday, so a heated battle is to be expected between the two Dutchmen.
Behind, Baril intends to be there too and she will have additional motivation that will work in her favor.
“Itzulia is a really important race for me, because I live in San Sebastian where Sunday’s stage will take place. This race is close to my heart and I really want to perform. »
A 133 kilometer route between Vitoria-Gasteiz and Amurrio awaits the runners on Saturday.
