Vos fights back to seventh place after crash in opening stage of La Vuelta Femenina, Ferrand-Prévot ninth
# Vos Makes Impressive Comeback to Secure Seventh Place Following Crash at La Vuelta Femenina
In the opening stage of La Vuelta Femenina held in the picturesque Galician hills, Marianne Vos displayed resilience as she battled back to secure seventh place following a crash. The Dutch team rode strategically at the front throughout the day, providing critical support for their leader, Vos. Despite several splits within the peloton, a sizable group approached the finale together.
As the race entered a chaotic climax, Vos encountered difficulty when she crashed on the slick descent, unable to avoid another rider falling in front of her. Imogen Wolff also went down in this treacherous stretch. Remarkably, with the support of her teammates, Vos was able to rejoin the peloton in the closing kilometer. She then showcased her speed and tenacity by sprinting to a commendable seventh place, while teammate Pauline Ferrand-Prévot finished in ninth.
In the aftermath of the race, sports director Jos van Emden reported, “Marianne went to the hospital for a check-up.” He noted that the crash was a setback in what was otherwise a strong performance from the team, stating, “The riders followed the plan and were in position at the right moments.”
Reflecting on her experience during the stage, Vos remarked, “We were well positioned at the front in the finale, but in the tricky descent, I crashed on the slippery surface because I couldn’t avoid a rider in front of me. During the chase, the team did a fantastic job to bring me back to the front group. I was still able to move up, but I didn’t have the legs to fight for the win.”
Ultimately, the results showed Noemi Rüegg of EF Education-Oatly taking the stage win, with Vos and Ferrand-Prévot showcasing the grit of Team Visma | Lease a Bike amidst the challenging conditions.
### Stage Results Summary:
1. **Noemi Rüegg** (EF Education-Oatly): 02:53:50
2. **Lotte Kopecky** (Team SD Worx – Protime): +00:00:00
3. **Franziska Koch** (FDJ United – SUEZ): +00:00:00
7. **Marianne Vos** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike): +00:00:00
9. **Pauline Ferrand-Prévot** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike): +00:00:00
With the conclusion of the challenging first stage, Team Visma | Lease a Bike will aim to continue their strong performance in the upcoming stages of La Vuelta Femenina.
