Speedster Daria Pikulik scored her first podium of 2025, sprinting to third place at the Vuelta CV Feminas one-day race.
The 28-year-old battled with winner Linda Zanetti (Uno-X Mobility) and Jelena Erić (Movistar Team) at the end of the 104km pan-flat race from Alfafar to Valencia. Pikulik made the best of a difficult situation in the finale, chasing down a move before the final sprint was triggered.
“I know I made a mistake in the last kilometer and I was too much on the front but I’m happy about it because I won a fight with myself today,” she explained afterward. “It’s not how I wanted it to start but the girls have been amazing and it’s so motivating to watch them and to fight for them.”
The Olympic silver medalist and the rest of the squad will have more chances in the upcoming Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, a four-stage 2.Pro race in the region.
“I’m always happy to be in this team. The vibe and how we work is amazing.”
Although a solid peloton for much of the race, climber Yurani Blanco tested her legs ahead of the stage race with a brief attack.
It all kicks off again in Spain on February 13, stay tuned for a full race preview.
Vuelta CV Feminas result
1 ZANETTI Linda – Uno-X Mobility 2:24:31
2 ERIĆ Jelena – Movistar Team ”
3 PIKULIK Daria – Human Powered Health ”
4 DRUMMOND Michaela – Arkéa – B&B Hotels Women ”
5 NEUMANOVA Tereza – UAE Team ADQ ”
6 SOTO Catalina Anais – Laboral Kutxa – Fundación Euskadi ”
7 PATRICK Chloe – Cynisca Cycling ”
8 VAN ROOIJEN Eline – Team Coop – Repsol ”
9 FIDANZA Arianna – Laboral Kutxa – Fundación Euskadi ”
10 VALGONEN Valeria – UPV Women’s Cycling ”
Photos: GettySport
