Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Premier Tech) has swept to overall victory in the Vuelta a Burgos Fèminas after taking the final stage win at the summit finish of Lagunas de Neila.
15 seconds later, Évita Muzic (FDJ United-Suez) finished second on the stage and with it the overall. Usoa Ostolaza (Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi) crossed the line 24 seconds back to take both third place on the stage and on GC.
Muzic had set a hard pace on the steepest part of the climb, riding everyone but Kastelijn off her wheel. Kastelijn then attacked 1.3km from the finish to leave Muzic behind and solo away to victory.
“Muzic set a really high pace and I just tried to follow. I did the same last week in Itzulia with Niedermaier. I waited until two to go, it was not flat, but it was a bit less steep. Then I could go with more speed. When I had a gap, it was just full gas to the finish,” said Kastelijn.
Winless since a stage victory in the 2023 Tour de France Femmes, this is Kastelijn’s first Women’s WorldTour GC victory.
“I felt really strong already last week and also yesterday and today. It was a long time ago that I won a race, so I really, really wanted it. I was super close last week, that was extra motivation to take the win today. I really love to be in Spain, luckily, the weather is a bit better than the last weeks. I’m happy to take the victory home,” Kastelijn said.
