Heaven and hell on the Angliru

Petra Stiasny (Human Powered Health) punched the air and screamed. Just past the finish line, in the cool air atop the mighty Alto de l’Angliru, the Swiss climber rolled to a stop and threw herself into the arms of her team staff, screaming again. She took her glasses off and stood over her bike for a beat, panting with her mouth agape. “Oh, mama mia,” she said, not quite believing the dream she'd just turned into reality.

   View this post on Instagram            

A post shared by La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour.es (@lavueltafem)

Moments later, Paula Blasi (UAE Team ADQ) was crossing the line too, both arms aloft, her own dream come true. In her own team huddle, to cries of “grande Paula!”, the Spaniard stood draped over her bars, gasping for breath as a soigneur lay a jacket and scarf over her. She was smiling, shaking her head, and crying all at once as TV cameras and reporters’ microphones crowded in. She spotted her mother nearby and broke away for a brief but intense embrace.

   View this post on Instagram            

A post shared by UCI Women’s WorldTour (@uci_wwt)

History was made atop the fearsome Angliru on Saturday. Not just by Blasi becoming the first Spanish winner of the Vuelta Femenina or its precursor event, the Madrid Challenge (she's the first Spaniard to even reach the podium, in what was her very first Grand Tour.) No, as historic as the final stage of the Vuelta was for 23-year-old Blasi – a rider on a truly prodigious trajectory through the ranks – this was a significant day for women’s cycling more broadly.

This post is for subscribers only

Become a member to get access to all content

Subscribe now