Cynisca Cycling’s Émilie Fortin wins the Clásica de Almería with help from teammates Pauline Allin, Kyleigh Spearing, Zoe Ta-Perez, Claire Windsor, Maddy Ward and Grace Williams. The 141 km race covered rolling terrain from Puebla de Vícar to Vera, Spain and was the team’s second ever race and also second in the week.
On a blustery day with gusty headwinds, the peloton moved slower than the scheduled time at the Clásica de Almería, and the racing remained subdued until late in the day. After a late puncture for Émilie, the team brought her to the front with teammate Pauline Allin before 25k to go. A failed attack by Stade Rochelais Charente Maritime set up a counter attack from Lucia Ruiz of Eneicat-CM Team-Seguros Deportivos. Emilie and Pauline bridged a 20 second gap to Ruiz, and then the trio extended the gap to two minutes heading into the strong northern wind.
The chase was slow to organize behind, but finally began closing in the last few kilometers, with World Tour Teams EF-TIBCO and Movistar going full gas. Pauline showed what teamwork is all about, burying herself to set up Emilie’s final winning solo, cruising in with a 16 second margin.
Kudos also to Grace Williams on her international racing debut, who finished despite a crash, bike swap, and injured wrist. And to Kyleigh Spearing, Zoe Ta-Perez, Claire Windsor, Maddy Ward who helped keep their team focused and at the front when needed. All Cynisca riders finished. This was the first year for the women’s edition of the Clásica de Almería.
- News, race
- #womenscycling, Clasica de almeria, Cynisca, Cynisca Cycling, cyniscacycling, USA Cycling, womens cycling
- February 13, 2023