'It was the dream scenario' – Mischa Bredewold and Lotte Kopecky take SD Worx-Protime one-two at Vuelta Femenina stage 5

Mischa Bredewold secured a thrilling victory on stage five of the Vuelta Femenina, narrowly edging out her SD Worx-Protime team-mate Lotte Kopecky in a sprint finish. The 119.6km route from Léon to Astorga featured two category-three climbs but ultimately favoured the sprinters, with a long flat run-in allowing the peloton to regroup for a high-speed conclusion. Despite a significant crash in the final kilometre involving riders from Liv AlUla Jayco and Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto, the SD Worx-Protime duo managed to dominate, achieving a one-two finish that highlighted their team strength and tactical execution. Bredewold expressed gratitude for the support and freedom given by her team, which allowed her to contest the sprint alongside Kopecky, who had played a key role in her lead-out. The pair had agreed beforehand on a strategy that would enable Bredewold to sprint with Kopecky in tow, a plan that unfolded perfectly on the day. The victory was described by Bredewold as a “dream scenario,” underscoring the harmony within the team and the successful collaboration that led to the win. The stage was not without incident, as a crash disrupted the final kilometres, involving several riders including Bredewold’s team-mate Anna van der Breggen. Fortunately, van der Breggen was reported to be uninjured and in good condition ahead of the challenging stage six summit finish at Les Praeres Nava. Bredewold confirmed the team’s readiness for the upcoming mountain stage and expressed confidence that the crash would not affect their chances, particularly with van der Breggen in strong form. The race dynamics saw an early breakaway of five riders that was gradually reeled in by the peloton, setting the stage for a sprint finish. Letizia Paternoster of Liv AlUla Jayco, despite suffering a wrist injury from an earlier crash, managed to finish third for the second consecutive day, demonstrating resilience and determination. The general classification remains led by Kopecky, with Bredewold moving up to fourth, positioning SD Worx-Protime as a formidable force as the Vuelta Femenina progresses into its more mountainous terrain.