The Cuban cyclist Arlenis Sierrawho plays for the Movistar club, secured sixth place on Thursday in the sprint mass that defined the initial stage of the Valencian Setmana tour, in Spainone of the important tests for the ranking women’s world road race
The Manzanillo cyclist finished with the same time as the winner, the Italian Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo), after a 119-kilometer journey between the city of Valencia and the town of Sagunto, covered in a time of 2:58:00 hours, from agreement with a note from the sports portal Hit.
?1️⃣☑️ Chaotic sprint to start the @setmanacyclist in Sagunto
?? Arlenis Sierra, 6th provisional… despite a crash on the tortuous approach to the finish line
?? All the Movistar Team, safe on arrival. Balsamo (TFS) prevailed #SetmanaCiclista23 pic.twitter.com/4mJBOK7kVc
— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) February 16, 2023
The podium in this segment was completed by the Finnish Lotta Henttala (Soudal Quick-Step) and the American Coryn Labecki (Jumbo-Visma). Behind came the also Italian Ilaria Sanguineti (Trek-Segafredo) and Sofia Bertizzolo (ADQ).
With her performance, Arlenis sealed the best performance of a Latin American cyclist in the section, in addition to leading the Movistar army in the classification.
The leader of the Spanish team, the Dutch Olympic and world champion, Annemiek Van Vleuten, finished in 42nd place behind her compatriot Floortje Mackaij, located in 15th place.
The Colombian Paula Patino (place 50), the Norwegian Katrine Aalerud (96) and the Spanish Sara Martín (97) and Lourdes Oyarbide (106) finished further back.
The second stage of the race will take place this Friday between the towns of Burriana and Villa Real, a 116-kilometre mid-mountain section.
Sierra debuted this season with a fourth place last Saturday in the women’s Clásica de Almería, played over 137 kilometres.
Arlenis Sierra begins the season with a fourth place in Almería
With her most recent performances, the Cuban confirms herself as one of the best penalty shooters on the circuit and one of the most reliable squires of the star Van Vleuten, who was not in the Almería race.
Sierra masterfully played that role last season, finishing as America’s top ranked in the final update of the ranking women’s world road race, Elite category, according to the International Cycling Union (UCI).
