'In the end, I just came up short' –Anna van der Breggen loses La Vuelta Femenina in final 4km on 'frustrating' Angliru

Anna van der Breggen narrowly missed out on overall victory at La Vuelta Femenina after losing the red jersey in the final four kilometres of the race on the punishing Alto de L'Angliru climb. Entering the last stage with an 18-second lead over Paula Blasi, the Dutch rider appeared in control for much of the ascent. However, Blasi surged ahead in the closing moments, ultimately finishing 24 seconds clear to claim her first Grand Tour win in only her second professional season. Van der Breggen expressed deep frustration at coming so close yet falling short, reflecting on the fine margins that decided the race. Despite closing the gap on the steepest sections, she acknowledged the difficulty of gauging time differences during such a brutal climb. Finishing second overall, she took pride in her performance and that of her SD Worx-Protime team, which secured three stage victories and the green points jersey through Lotte Kopecky. Kopecky, who also won a stage and donned the green jersey, described the Angliru as "simply horrible" and praised the resilience of the GC contenders battling on its slopes. She highlighted the team’s strong showing throughout the race, noting their multiple days in the leader’s jersey and overall podium finish as signs of success. The team’s directeur sportif, Danny Stam, shared a mixed sentiment, acknowledging the disappointment of losing the general classification by a narrow margin but emphasising the team’s initial goals had been surpassed. Looking ahead, Van der Breggen remains optimistic about her return to top-level competition, viewing this near victory as a stepping stone for future Grand Tours. The team will likely build on their strong collective performance, using the experience gained on the Angliru and throughout the race to target further success in upcoming events. Despite the heartbreak of the final climb, the SD Worx-Protime squad can take pride in a highly competitive and memorable La Vuelta Femenina campaign.