Van Dam fifth in final stage and overall classification Tour Down Under
# Impressive Performance by Sarah Van Dam in Santos Women’s Tour Down Under
In the final stage of the highly competitive Santos Women’s Tour Down Under, Canadian cyclist Sarah Van Dam of Team Visma | Lease a Bike showcased her resilience and skill, finishing fifth overall in both the stage and the overall classification. The stage, which spanned 126 kilometers from Norwood to Campbelltown, was notably marked by the challenging double ascent of Corkscrew Road.
Early in the race, two riders attempted a breakaway, capturing the attention of the peloton before being reeled back in as the race neared its climax. As the terrain steepened, the top contenders began to accelerate, and Van Dam was quick to respond to an attack from UAE Team ADQ riders Mavi Garcia and Paula Blasi. Although she initially stayed competitive, the pressure forced her to give up her position at the front.
During the second ascent of Corkscrew Road, Van Dam was integral to the chasing group, trailing just behind the eventual leading quartet that included Noemi Rüegg. In a thrilling yet demanding finale, Van Dam crossed the line in an impressive fifth place, marking her first experience at this level of the WorldTour.
Reflecting on her race, Van Dam expressed both pride and a touch of disappointment. “I had the legs to win today, so I was a bit disappointed afterwards,” she admitted. “I gave everything I had. On top of that, I was supported brilliantly by my teammates… After the increase in pace, I was at the front with the UAE Team ADQ duo. They played the team tactics well, which unfortunately meant I had to let them go.” She added, “Looking back on the past three days, I can only be proud of how we raced as a team. We learned a lot and will take this experience into the next races.”
Team sports director Jos van Emden praised Van Dam’s efforts, stating, “It’s only logical that there was some disappointment after the finish… Sarah was in a very promising position for a long time with a view to overall victory. Together with the team, she gave everything and has shown that she can compete for the top places at this level… On challenging courses, Sarah is a tough competitor for many rivals, and that’s something she can certainly build on for the future.”
In the overall standings of the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under, the final rankings saw Noemi Rüegg from EF Education-Oatly take first place, followed closely by Mavi Garcia and Paula Blasi from UAE Team ADQ.
This strong performance positions Van Dam as a promising contender for future races, as Team Visma | Lease a Bike aims to build on their learning experiences from this challenging yet rewarding competition.
