Aussies impress at La Vuelta Femenina

The first women’s Grand Tour of the year is over, and Australia’s riders have impressed at La Vuelta España Femenina in Spain.

Neve Bradbury was sadly unable to start due to illness, but Amanda Spratt and Brodie Chapman (Lidl-Trek) began the race in the perfect way, winning the opening team time trial with their Lidl-Trek squad.

Spratt and Chapman remained consistent workhorses for Lidl-Trek throughout the race, supporting their leader Elisa Longo Borghini to the overall podium. The pair even threw in some cheeky attacks after echelons formed on Stage 7, while Chapman was the last survivor of the breakaway on the final day.

Chapman and Spratt (centre) won the opening TTT with Lidl-Trek. (Photo: Unipublic / Sprint Cycling Agency)

Georgia Baker (Liv AlUla Jayco) collected Australia’s best individual result, second on the crosswind-affected Stage 4 into Zaragoza. The Tasmanian won the bunch sprint behind solo winner Kristen Faulkner, beating the likes of Marianne Vos and Alison Jackson in a confidence-boosting performance.

“We had Kristen Faulkner up the road, unfortunately we couldn’t catch her, but I was able to win the bunch sprint, which was really good and something that I’ve been definitely working on. It’s a really great podium for the team,” Baker said at the stage finish.

Georgie Howe (Liv AlUla Jayco) provided able domestique support and was prominent herself on Stage 7, when she featured in the breakaway.

Grace Brown sets a fierce tempo on La Laguna Negra. (Photo: Unipublic / CXCLING)

Many observers would say Grace Brown (FDJ-SUEZ) was the standout domestique of the Vuelta. In the finale of Stage 6, Brown’s powerful pace-setting on the lower slopes of La Laguna Negra was instrumental in setting up a stage victory for French teammate Évita Muzic.

Brown reprised her selfless role on the tough mountains of the Stage 8, propelling Muzic to second on the stage and fifth overall. (If you haven't already, check out the ARA Australian Cycling Team's Q&A with Grace Brown).

When all was said and done, Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal Team) provided Australia’s best GC result, 13th overall, but showed signs that there’s much more to come.

Gigante shone on Stage 5’s hilltop finish with a fine 5th placing. The Victorian climber lost time in the crosswinds, and after a streak of crashes left her with rib pain, but she fought on, putting herself in the breakaway on the final day. Her gritty performance gives plenty of positives to take away.

Anya Louw won the combativity prize on Stage 7. (Photo: Unipublic / Sprint Cycling Agency)

Tasmanian teammate Anya Louw (AG Insurance-Soudal Team) was also excellent – most notably on Stage 7, where she won the combativity award after anticipating the crosswinds in the breakaway.

We won’t have to wait long for more stage racing in the Women’s WorldTour: Itzulia Women is on this weekend, with Bradbury, Spratt, Lauretta Hanson and Amber Pate on the provisional start list.

Feature photo: Unipublic / Jennifer Lindini