Thalita de Jong sprinted to third place at Durango Durango Emakumeen Saria, scoring her second podium of the season at the end of the 113 km one-day race.
The 31-year-old is in a rich vein of form and showing great consistency in recent weeks. Barbara Malcotti put in another highlight performance and was active throughout the finale, breaking away on the steep Alto de Goiuria climb to finish seventh.
“I’m happy with my progress,” de Jong said. “I felt good the whole day, and that the sprint legs are coming back. Especially after a harder race, I showed today I still have something left in the tank.”
Ruth Edwards helped set up the final moves by attacking on the penultimate climb to whittle down the lead group. Malcotti followed suit by breaking away in a group of three, chasing solo leader and eventual winner Isabella Holmgren (Lidl – Trek). With ramps hitting 11%, Malcotti dug deep before being caught by de Jong’s chasing group on the descent.
“I did not help to close the gap because Barbara was up ahead,” she explained. “Longo Borghini was leading our group for a lot of the descent. I wanted to have my own space for the sprint, so I went to the front and just started a long sprint, I did not want to get sandwiched or boxed in.”
De Jong’s sprint on the narrow finish straight was well timed and gapped the group behind.
“I’m happy to be back racing again on my level,” de Jong said. “In Itzulia, I was already close, and I also felt in Itzulia that my form was growing.”
De Jong was backed up throughout by strong teamwork.
“Ruth was also really strong, and she attacked a few times, It was good to see,” she said. Barbara covered well the whole race. Katia and Kathrin kept me out of trouble in the first part of the race. They were just so into the plan. In the end, we did what we discussed in the pre-race tactics meeting.”
Durango Durango Emakumeen Saria results
1 HOLMGREN Isabella – Lidl – Trek 2:48:59
2 MUZIC Évita – FDJ – SUEZ 0:08
3 DE JONG Thalita – Human Powered Health 0:44
4 CURINIER Léa – FDJ – SUEZ ”
5 MEIJERING Mareille – Movistar Team ”
6 OSTOLAZO Usoa – Laboral Kutxa – Fundación Euskadi ”
7 MALCOTTI Barbara – Human Powered Health ”
8 SANTESTEBAN Ane – Laboral Kutxa – Fundación Euskadi ”
9 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa – UAE Team ADQ ”
10 LE MOUEL Célia – CERATIZIT Pro Cycling Team ”
