Vuelta a Burgos Féminas: last-minute mountain attack nets Yara Kastelijn summit finish win and overall victory

Yara Kastelijn secured a dramatic overall victory at the Vuelta a Burgos Féminas by winning the decisive final stage, which concluded with a summit finish at Lagunas de Neila. The 120km stage featured a challenging 6km climb averaging nearly 10%, where Kastelijn launched a decisive attack 1.3km from the finish to break away from Évita Muzic, who had set a punishing pace on the steepest sections. Kastelijn crossed the line first, 15 seconds ahead of Muzic, who took second place on the stage and in the general classification, while Usoa Ostolaza completed the podium in third. The final stage unfolded with early breakaways from Sara Martín and Federica Venturelli, who built a significant lead before being reeled in by the peloton on the descent of the Collado de Huerta. The race then intensified on the final climb, with several teams contributing to the pace-setting. Muzic’s relentless tempo on the steep gradients shattered the group, leaving only Kastelijn able to follow. Kastelijn’s well-timed attack in the closing kilometres proved decisive, allowing her to solo to victory and claim the overall title. Kastelijn’s triumph marked her first general classification win on the Women’s WorldTour, ending a winless streak since a stage success at the 2023 Tour de France Femmes. She expressed satisfaction with her form and motivation, noting that her near miss at Itzulia the previous week spurred her determination. The Dutch rider also highlighted her fondness for racing in Spain and welcomed the improved weather conditions during the event. The race also saw other notable performances, including Lorena Wiebes securing the green points jersey thanks to her two stage wins, and Shirin van Anrooij claiming the white jersey as the best rider under 25. Kastelijn added the red mountain jersey to her accolades by virtue of her stage win at the summit finish. The Vuelta a Burgos Féminas once again showcased the depth and competitiveness of women’s cycling on demanding terrain, setting a high standard for the remainder of the season.