'We went from very up to very down, and I think now we’re back to very up' - Cédrine Kerbaol wins Stage 3 of La Vuelta Femenina with dominant charge

Cédrine Kerbaol secured a commanding victory on Stage 3 of La Vuelta Femenina, delivering a decisive attack in the final two kilometres to claim the win. The EF Education-Oatly rider was expertly positioned by her teammate Alice Towers during the challenging cobbled section near the race’s conclusion. This triumph propelled Kerbaol up to third place in the general classification, behind race leader Franziska Koch of FDJ United-SUEZ. The stage had been largely controlled by Lidl-Trek’s Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, who led for much of the race and even broke away solo at the intermediate sprint. However, the peloton reeled her back in with 15 kilometres remaining as the terrain became more undulating and attacks intensified. Other contenders, including Kristen Faulkner and Kasia Niewiadoma, made efforts to seize the lead but were ultimately unable to maintain their advantage, setting the stage for EF Education-Oatly’s well-timed move. Kerbaol’s victory was not only a personal milestone but also an emotional moment for the team, which has experienced a rollercoaster of fortunes in the opening days of the race. The squad’s morale had dipped sharply following the crash and subsequent withdrawal of stage one winner Noemi Rüegg, who suffered a broken shoulder. Both Kerbaol and Towers paid tribute to their injured teammate, emphasising the collective strength and resilience that has brought them back to a high point in the competition. Looking ahead, Kerbaol’s performance signals a renewed challenge for the overall classification, with the EF Education-Oatly team demonstrating effective teamwork and tactical acumen. Franziska Koch remains in the red jersey, but the gaps are narrowing as the race progresses. The coming stages promise further excitement as riders continue to jostle for position in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested edition of La Vuelta Femenina.