'I landed in a ditch' – Marianne Vos forced into desperate chase after late crash in hectic Vuelta Femenina run-in

Marianne Vos, wearing the yellow jersey for Visma-Lease a Bike, faced a challenging start to the Vuelta España Femenina, finishing seventh on the opening stage. Despite being among the favourites for the uphill finish in Salvaterra de Miño, her race was disrupted by a late crash on a slippery descent less than 10 kilometres from the finish. The incident forced Vos into a desperate chase to rejoin the leading group, making her presence in the final selection all the more impressive. Vos revealed that she landed in a ditch during the crash, an incident that was not caught on television. After remounting, she was seen fiercely pursuing the front group alongside her teammates, navigating through the race convoy and trailing by around 23 seconds with just five kilometres remaining. Her teammates, including Pauline Ferrand-Prévot who was in the front group, played a crucial role in helping her bridge back before the final climb to the finish. The physical toll of the crash was evident as Vos struggled to contest the sprint in the closing 200 metres. Although she found some space on the right side, she was unable to match the finishing kick of Noemi Rüegg from EF Education-Oatly, who claimed victory. Vos acknowledged the importance of her team’s support in the aftermath of the crash and described herself as "pretty much ok" physically, though she remained cautious about any lingering effects. This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of racing on challenging terrain, especially in a high-stakes event like the Vuelta Femenina. Vos’s determination to recover and remain competitive despite the setback underscores her resilience and the strength of her team. As the race progresses, her condition and ability to contend for stage wins or overall classification will be closely watched by fans and rivals alike.