Bunel shines in final stage of La Vuelta Femenina with overall podium and youth classification victory

# Bunel Triumphs in La Vuelta Femenina’s Grand Finale, Secures Podium and Youth Title

Marion Bunel delivered an unforgettable performance in the final stage of La Vuelta Femenina, proudly achieving a podium finish in the general classification along with a victory in the youth category. Reflecting on her remarkable journey, Bunel expressed, “The girls were amazing. They kept me in the perfect position all day. It was an incredibly hard day, but I’m happy I didn’t blow up.”

The stage, which was the queen challenge from Pola de Laviana to the iconic Alto de l’Angliru, tested the riders over a grueling distance of 132.9 kilometers, featuring more than 3,400 meters of climbing. The daunting final ascent served as the decisive battleground for the event. Demonstrating her climbing prowess, Bunel clinched fourth place in the stage, solidifying her overall third place in the standings.

In a moment of pride, teammate Sarah Van Dam reflected on their strategy, stating, “Our priority all day was to keep Marion in a good position. We really formed a sort of bubble around her. I think we did that very well, after which she did the hard work with her magical legs.”

Bunel’s impressive finish has deep significance for her career. “It’s unbelievable that I’m standing on the podium. It’s a huge step for me. I want to keep learning and take those lessons with me. With this team around me, I feel I’m in the right place to do that. Now I just want to keep improving myself, without limits,” she added.

### Stage 7 Results
1. **Petra Stiasny** (Human Powered Health) – 04:09:40
2. **Paula Blasi** (UAE Team ADQ) – +00:00:23
3. **Juliette Berthet** (FDJ United – SUEZ) – +00:00:43
4. **Marion Bunel** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +00:00:43

### General Classification
1. **Paula Blasi** (UAE Team ADQ) – 22:17:03
2. **Anna van der Breggen** (Team SD Worx – Protime) – +00:00:24
3. **Marion Bunel** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +00:00:49

Bunel’s remarkable achievement at La Vuelta Femenina underscores her potential and sets the stage for an even brighter future in women’s cycling.