Bredewold wins Itzulia Women on third try, Włodarczyk wins dramatic final stage

Mischa Bredewold, riding for SD Worx-Protime, has finally secured the overall victory at Itzulia Women, following her stage one win and two previous attempts. This marks her first general classification triumph at the Spanish stage race, having previously won the opening stage in 2022, 2023, and again this year. The final stage was dramatically claimed by Dominika Włodarczyk of UAE ADQ, but it was Bredewold's consistency that sealed the GC after a hard-fought three days.

Bredewold's repeated success on the opening stage, yet failure to convert it into a GC win, had become a curious pattern. Her previous attempts were often hampered by stronger climbers or tactical missteps in the subsequent, hillier stages. This year, however, the Dutch champion demonstrated a more robust all-around performance, capitalising on her stage win and defending her lead against a competitive field. It's a significant step for Bredewold, moving beyond a pure classics specialist to a rider capable of holding her own in a stage race.

Finally converting an early lead into overall success is a testament to Bredewold's evolving form and SD Worx-Protime's strategic depth. Perhaps the third time truly is the charm, or perhaps she just learned to hold her nerve.