Blanka Vas wins the final stage of Tour de Romandie
# Blanka Vas Claims Victory in Final Stage of Tour de Romandie
In a thrilling conclusion to the Tour de Romandie, Blanka Vas emerged victorious in the final stage, showcasing remarkable skill and teamwork. “This was the plan with the team,” a jubilant Vas commented after her win. “Everybody worked really hard for me, so a big shout-out to my teammates today — it was really a team effort.”
The stage witnessed intense competition, with Vas noting the significance of her teammate Laura’s presence in a breakaway, which forced rival teams to pick up the pace. “Honestly, everyone was great and I’m so happy I could finish it off and take the win.”
Vas recalled the key moments of the race, particularly closing a gap after a climb. “Paula Blasi and Elise Chabbey had a small gap after the climb, but I tried to close it on the downhill. I know I descend well, so I was happy to bridge quickly,” she explained. With seconds ticking away, she took turns pushing the pace to ensure they remained ahead. “I knew that if I arrived with this group of three, my sprint would be better than the others and I had a high chance to win.”
This victory marks not only a significant achievement for Vas but also her first WorldTour triumph of the season. “I’m really happy to win a stage at the Tour de Romandie. It means a lot,” she expressed gratefully.
Team Director Gianpaolo Mondini echoed Vas’s sentiments, lauding the teamwork displayed throughout the stage. “We really looked forward to this stage — it was perfect for our team. We worked very well together and showed great teamwork,” he emphasized.
Mondini highlighted Vas’s impressive performance, praising her ability on the climb and the descent that ultimately secured her victory. “Blanka was amazing today. She was phenomenal on the climb, cresting with only a few seconds to make up, and then she showed unbelievable downhill skills to close that gap to the two girls in front,” he said.
The team’s pre-race strategy proved effective, as it focused on what ended up being Vas’s best opportunity. “When we arrived in Switzerland we only reconned this last stage because we knew our best chance would be today, and that paid off.”
He further expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments, including Steffi Häberlin’s impressive top-five finish overall in her first year on the road. “Racing at home with number one on your back and in the Swiss champion’s jersey brings pressure, but she handled it brilliantly. I’m very happy to see her progress.”
This stage win not only marks a pivotal moment for Blanka Vas but also highlights the power of teamwork and strategic planning in competitive cycling, ensuring an exhilarating end to the Tour de Romandie.
