Elise Uijen‘s win on stage 4 of Setmana Ciclista Valenciana marked a breakthrough win for the 19-year-old, in addition to an indication of issues to come back for Staff DSM as they search for victories with out their former headline riders.
After being within the breakaway for all of stage 3, working proper till the tip with a collection of last-ditch assaults, Uijen once more discovered herself within the decisive transfer that went in the course of stage 4.
Clearly one of many strongest climbers within the 16-woman breakaway, the younger Dutch rider led the efforts over the ultimate climb, finally going clear with Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance coverage-Soudal-QuickStep), who she beat within the ultimate dash in Gandia.
“Immediately we had been actually seeking to make the race as a group; attacking and going for the stage win,” Uijen stated on the end.
“Ultimately, after plenty of assaults, I made it into a gaggle. We knew it might go all the best way for the stage win so I attempted to do my greatest as doable. Ultimately, it got here right down to a dash with one other rider and I might end it off.”
In solely her second yr as knowledgeable, having joined Staff DSM straight from the elite ranks, that is Uijen’s largest results of her nascent profession.
“I am actually glad to take my first professional win and for the group too,” she stated.
In addition to an enormous win for Uijen, the win marks DSM’s first non-bunch dash victory of 2023, a yr which can see them depend on a a lot youthful and fewer skilled group than earlier seasons.
Charlotte Kool‘s pair of wins on the UAE Tour proved they’ve stuffed the Lorena Wiebes-shaped gap of their dash group, however their stage race squad was but to be examined within the absence of Floortje Mackaij and Liane Lippert (each now at Movistar).
In addition to Juliette Labous, Staff DSM’s climbing and GC hopes are pinned on a gaggle of very younger riders. At Valenciana, half the group had been underneath 20, with Uijen not even the youngest within the squad.
The group got here near an enormous consequence on stage 2 when Megan Jastrab sprinted to 3rd behind winner Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) nevertheless it was Uijen’s performances on the 2 tougher phases of the weekend that basically elevated the group’s time in Valencia.
“We had been capable of put the cherry on the cake right here,” Uijen stated. “As a result of this week we’ve got actually constructed on one thing, and it is a blast to finish it this fashion.”
DSM director Kelvin Dekker was equally delighted on the consequence, hinting on the work the group have been doing to rebuild their squad forward of the approaching season.
“It is wonderful to finish this week with an enormous win,” he stated. “It is a win that adopted a course of, not simply throughout this week however all pre-season, so it is a candy feeling.”
