Ella Wyllie climbed to victory in the youth classification on the final day at Itzulia Women, rounding out a strong weekend for the Liv AlUla Jayco team.
Spanish champion, Mavi García added to strong finish by securing fourth place in the overall classification, just one second away from the podium.
The final outing of the three-day race was the queen stage with three tough climbs before a flat run into the finish. Liv AlUla Jayco went out on an aggressive footing with Urška Žigart getting into the main break of the day.
Žigart and her companions survived out front until the last ascent when the race was blown apart on the steep slopes of the Mandizorrotz.
Wyllie was in the first chasing group over the top behind a solo Demi Vollering with García close behind. The two chasing groups merged in the final few kilometres and the New Zealand champion finished 10th on the stage.
Unfortunately, García crashed inside the final two kilometres. However, she was awarded the same time as Wyllie and the rest of the group due to the three-kilometre rule, allowing her to take fourth overall.
As well as taking the win in the young rider’s classification, Wyllie also made it two Liv AlUla Jayco riders in the top 10 in the main GC with her strong performance on the final day.
Ella Wyllie:
“I’m really proud of how our team raced Itzulia, and each day we showed our strength. Today, I found my legs and I’m really happy to get the result the girls positioned me well for. Unfortunately, Mavi crashed in the final today. Hopefully, she has a speedy recovery but she showed so much strength coming from the Vuelta and we are in a good position going into future races!”
Mavi García:
“It was a shame to crash today just 1.5km from the end and also being off the podium by a second but I’m left with the positive part, because yesterday I felt good again and now I will have time to recover, rest and prepare well for the second part of the season! We have also achieved the best young woman with Ella and I am happy because I think we will be able to do very well together!”
2024 Itzulia Women – Stage 3
1. Demi Vollering 03:03:34
2. Thalita de Jong +44
3. Mischa Bredewold st
10. Ella Wyllie (Liv AlUla Jayco) st
2024 Itzulia Women GC
1. Demi Vollering 09:03:42
2. Mischa Bredewold +34
3. Juliette Labous +52
4. Mavi García (Liv AlUla Jayco) +53
10. Ella Wyllie (Liv AlUla Jayco) +1:05
