Jumbo – Visma takes the win in breathless opening time trial
May 1 st 2023 - 14:24 [GMT + 2]
La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour.es began this Monday with an exciting team time trial in Torrevieja on which Jumbo-Visma topped the standings. The Dutch team set the fastest time at 18’03” over the 14,5-kilometre course with eight teams to go – a performance good enough as to keep all of their rivals at bay. Canyon//SRAM was just one second shy of beating Jumbo-Visma and had to settle with 2nd place, while Trek-Segafredo finished 9” behind in 3rd. Brit rider Anna Henderson was the first Jumbo-Visma rider to cross the finish line and therefore claimed the Red jersey as first GC leader of this event that will resume tomorrow with a flat road stage between Orihuela and Pilar de la Horadada.
160 riders spread over 23 teams took the start on the 1st stage of the 2023 La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour.es, which began with a 14,5-kilometre team time trial in Torrevieja. Sopela Women’s Team was the first team on the start ramp at 12:37, and also the first one through the finish line clocking a 20’16” time that was bested a few minutes later by Massi-Tactic with 19’29”. The Catalan team held firm at the top of standings until the first Women’s WorldTour Team came home, with Israel PremierTech – Roland setting a new fastest time at 19’03” that was quickly beat by St Michel – Mavic – Auber93 with 19’02”.
A close contest for victory
Both Liv Racing – TeqFind and Jayco – AlUla were faster than St Michel – Mavic – Auber93 at the finish line, with 18’45” and 18’34” respectively. Yet they wouldn’t last for long at the top of the standings, as Jumbo-Visma crushed the clock with an 18’03” time that no team was able to beat. Two teams came close, though: Canyon//SRAM was just one second shy of besting the Dutch team, while Trek-Segafredo finished nine seconds behind the winning time. The top5 was completed by Movistar Team and Team SD Worx, which were 12” and 14” slower than Jumbo-Visma.