Vuelta Ciclista Andalucia Women: Liv AlUla Jayco go 1-2-3 as Silke Smulders secures opening stage victory

It was a great day of racing for Team Liv AlUla Jayco, who swept the podium in the opening stage at the Vuelta Ciclista Andalucia Women. Silke Smulders was the first across the line to take the stage 1 victory and the first leader's jersey of the four-day event.

Her teammate, Mavi García, finished second alongside Smulders after the pair spent time in a two-rider breakaway. Their teammate, Ella Wyllie, was third in Alcalá del Valle.

“We were on fire today! From the beginning, Quinty set the pace on the climbs, and Alex did amazing on the downhills. We were so strong. I went far from the finish to take the pressure off of Mavi and Ella. In the end, Mavi bridged over to me, and we went together. I’m just so proud of what we did, taking first, second, and third, and the mountain jersey. It was a really special day for me and the whole team," Smulders said.

The peloton competed across 115km of hilly stage 1 at the Vuelta Ciclista Andalucia Women, held from Castellar de la Frontera to Alcalá del Valle. The main climbs of the day included Puerto Haco de Gaucin (11km at 5%), Montejaque (2.4km at 6%), and a sprint in Setenil de las Bodegas before the finish.

Team Liv AlUla Jayco controlled the race from the start, holding the peloton together over the demanding opening ascent of the Haco de Gaucin, while the main field was reduced to roughly 20 riders due to the high speeds over hilly terrain.

Smulders went on a solo attack while her two teammates, Garcia and Wyllie, attempted to bridge across. Garcia managed to successfully reconnect with Smulders, and the pair raced to the finish line together, with Smulder taking the day's victory.

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