Durango-Durango: Paula Blasi impresses with solo victory

Paula Blasi of UAE Team ADQ delivered a commanding solo victory at the Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria, marking her second one-day race win this year following her recent overall triumph at La Vuelta Femenina. Blasi launched a decisive attack on the steep Alto de Goiuria climb with 8.5 kilometres remaining, breaking clear from a select group to power to the finish line alone. Her performance underscored her climbing prowess and continued dominance in the women’s racing calendar. The race unfolded over a challenging 113-kilometre course featuring multiple laps of the Alto de Miota and back-to-back ascents of Areitio and the Alto de Goiuria. Early breakaway riders Fariba Hashimi, Eva Anguela, and Leyre Almena led for much of the first half, but the demanding climbs and high pace set by teams UAE Team ADQ, FDJ United-Suez, and EF Education-Oatly gradually eroded their advantage. A critical moment came on the final circuit when world champion Magdeleine Vallieres crashed, reducing the lead group to Blasi, Évita Muzic, and Alice Towers. Behind Blasi’s solo effort, Muzic of FDJ United-Suez edged out Towers from EF Education-Oatly in a two-up sprint to claim second place on the podium. The race saw no former winners in the lineup, guaranteeing a fresh name on the trophy for this 25th edition of one of the Basque Country’s longest-standing women’s one-day events. The tactical battles on the climbs and the attritional pace highlighted the depth and competitiveness of the field. Blasi’s victory not only cements her status as one of the season’s standout riders but also signals her continued form leading into the summer’s key races. With her climbing strength and tactical acumen on display, she remains a formidable contender for upcoming classics and stage races. The result also emphasises the growing prominence of teams like UAE Team ADQ in women’s professional cycling, as they continue to shape race dynamics and deliver top performances.