Gaia Realini went head to head with the world champion on stage 6 of La Vuelta Femenina and won after a spectacular (and incredibly close) sprint to the line.
Realini's reaction:
"This is incredible. I really don’t have any words to describe how I’m feeling right now. I want to thank my teammates because they really have worked so hard for me, and Spratty, all week and even today, they were amazing pacing us into the climbs. It’s thanks to them that I was able to perform so well today.
"When the gap opened up to [Demi] Vollering, many teams were working to increase the distance between us and her group, to make sure it didn’t come back. I was in a great position and then I was part of a strong five-rider front group. When Annemiek [van Vleuten] attacked, there was no cooperation to follow her so I knew I needed to bridge across to her. It was a now or never moment if I wanted to fight for the stage win. I just followed, followed, followed and stayed on her wheel.
"The moment after the finish was hectic. First, they give the win to me, then to her and then, finally, to me. Of course, it was not easy but I was ready to accept the decision of the jury and I wouldn’t have been too disappointed if Annemiek was the winner. I was just really happy with how I raced but, of course, I’m even happier to have taken the win.
"It has not been an easy Vuelta especially on the second stage when I lost time due to the echelons. It was disappointing but, as a team, we didn’t lose our confidence or our motivation to do our best and try to win, that’s why we came here. I think this victory is a reward for my effort and the effort of the whole team in these days."
