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Mischa Bredewold retains her grip on the yellow jersey at Itzulia Women, despite finishing second in a hotly contested stage 2. This 25-year-old SD Worx-Protime rider faced fierce competition from Dominika Włodarczyk, who clinched her first WorldTour victory after a late attack.
Bredewold, a five-time Itzulia stage winner since 2024, aimed for another victory but prioritized her overall lead. “You cannot really focus on both, so you need to pick your battles and be smart,” she explained. As the race unfolded, Bredewold's strategy shifted, focusing on the general classification rather than chasing stage glory.
With only five teammates, managing the race proved challenging. “We lost a little bit of control in the final,” she noted, as Włodarczyk and Shirin van Anrooij surged ahead on the last climb. Bredewold's sprint started early, allowing her to pass van Anrooij but falling short of catching Włodarczyk.
The final sprint was a tense showdown, showcasing the intensity of the competition. Bredewold's tactical approach highlights the delicate balance between individual stage wins and maintaining an overall lead in a grueling multi-stage race. The battle for the yellow jersey continues as the series progresses.
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