Yuliia Biriukova sprinted to her first podium for Human Powered Health, finishing second at Clasica de Almeria with teammate Linda Zanetti winning the bunch sprint behind for third.
“I am very happy about the result because it was great teamwork all day,” Biriukova said. “Today was very windy so it was a tough race. I knew I could attack on the last climb so I waited for the perfect moment and I managed to break away. The group was always very close so we had to ride very hard to the line,” the 26-year-old added. “I’m happy, but there is still a lot to work on.”
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- Biriukova
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- Zanetti wins the group sprint.
Zanetti’s third placing was also her first podium for the team and a sign of the fast-finishing form that the 21-year-old is in.
“This result gives me confidence going forward,” says Zanetti. “I learned a lot in the UAE Tour and am getting stronger with each sprint.”
Human Powered Health controlled the 102km race around Puebla de Vícar in Spain throughout, splitting the group early in the crosswinds before launching climber Biriukova into the winning two-rider breakaway on the main climb of the day.
At the finish, Biriukova went elbow-to-elbow with Lauren Stephens (Cynisca Cycling) with the experienced American coming out on top. Behind, Zanetti showed she was the best of the speedsters, winning the sprint for third with Henrietta Christie and road captain Marit Raaijmakers also placing in the top ten.
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- Barbara Malcotti drives the pace.
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- Post-race debrief.
“It feels really good to be back with the team,” Christie said having returned from a brief knee injury. “The whole race we were in control. We had four of us in the split in the crosswind and could control the race into the climbs. We played our cards well, allowing us a free ride into the finale.”
A successful day for the squad in Spain, the cumulative result of all the riders meant that they won the team prize.
Next up, more Classics on the menu with racing action coming from Italy at the epic gravel-laden Strade Bianche.
Clasica de Almeria WE results
1 STEPHENS Lauren – Cynisca Cycling 3:03:04
2 BIRIUKOVA Yuliia – Human Powered Health ”
3 ZANETTI Linda – Human Powered Health 0:09
4 FIDANZA Arianna – CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team ”
5 TOMASI Laura – Laboral Kutxa – Findación Euskadi ”
6 SOTO Catalina Anais – Laboral Kutxa – Findación Euskadi ”
7 CHRISTIE Henrietta – Human Powered Health ”
8 MANGAN Fiona – Cynisca Cycling ”
9 RAAIJMAKERS Marit – Human Powered Health ”
10 VARGAS Carolina – Eneicat – CMTeam
Photos: SprintCycling
