Tour Féminin des Pyrénées: Paula Blasi claims overall victory as unstoppable breakaway rider Eline Jansen crashes and goes on to take stage 3 win

Paula Blasi of UAE Team ADQ secured the overall victory at the 5th edition of the Tour Féminin des Pyrénées, concluding a challenging three-stage race in the Pyrenees. The final stage, a 114.4km route from Nay to Jurançon featuring 1,700 metres of climbing and a demanding finishing circuit, saw Blasi maintain her lead despite aggressive moves from breakaway riders. Her teammate Dominika Włodarczyk finished second overall, nearly two minutes behind, while Juliette Berthet of FDJ United-SUEZ claimed third place on the general classification. The decisive moment of the last stage came from a ten-rider breakaway that gained a significant advantage over the peloton, with Dutch rider Eline Jansen of VolkerWessels Cycling making a remarkable impact despite crashing during the stage. Jansen and Léa Curinier (FDJ United-SUEZ) broke away from the group in the final kilometres, contesting a two-rider sprint that Jansen ultimately won. Their breakaway crossed the finish line about 49 seconds ahead of the main field, but their efforts did not threaten Blasi’s commanding overall lead. Blasi reflected on her growth since last year’s race, emphasising the experience and confidence she gained that contributed to her success this time. She credited her team’s strategic focus on controlling the race and protecting her lead rather than chasing stage wins, highlighting the effective teamwork that underpinned her victory. “I arrived with much more confidence in myself and with a very strong team around me,” Blasi said, underscoring the importance of composure and tactical nous in stage racing. The Tour Féminin des Pyrénées showcased a competitive field tackling a demanding course with multiple climbs, including the steep Cote de Merce near the finish. The race demonstrated the depth of talent in women’s cycling, with aggressive tactics from breakaway riders and calculated efforts from those targeting the overall classification. With Blasi’s win, UAE Team ADQ confirmed their strength in the women’s peloton, while riders like Jansen showed impressive resilience and sprinting prowess despite setbacks. Looking ahead, the performances at the Tour Féminin des Pyrénées suggest exciting prospects for the remainder of the season, with riders building form and confidence in mountainous terrain. Blasi’s victory marks a significant milestone in her career, signalling her emergence as a strong contender in stage races. Meanwhile, the aggressive racing and strategic battles witnessed in the Pyrenees set a high standard for upcoming events in the women’s calendar.