Itzulia Women 2024 Stage 3 Preview

 I missed the overall preview and first two stages...

Stage 3 profile from procyclingstats.com







Three climbs, but they are all early...one for the breakaway, right? Not so fast...with the way Bredewold and Vollering have been sprinting this week, SD Worx will want to make sure this one comes back by the finish...unless they send Reusser in the break, which. let's face, is very much a possibility, especially given she is only 27 seconds down on GC. Regardless, SD Worx will be aiming to win this one as well, whether from the main bunch or the break. But, it could get a bit mad with how small the gaps are on GC.

Contenders

DEMI VOLLERING -- Given the way she has sprinted this week, I think SD Worx came here with her the protected GC rider, but it hasn't played out that way given how well Bredewold is sprinting. It might be a bit irritating, but, on a team of such high quality, that's just how the cookie crumbles on occasion. She's a bit caught out being four seconds off the podium; it would be a gamble to protect Vollering and throw the GC away, but it could happen.

MISCHA BREDEWOLD -- Quite the weekend with two wins and the GC so far. The climbs shouldn't be a problem; if it's together at the end, she should be sprinting for the hat-trick and GC. 

MARLEN REUSSER -- Breakaway hopeful number one. A good breakaway stage for her, and it helps that the team won't chase it down. The break has a good chance of staying away if it contains...

OLIVIA BARIL -- Sprinting well and close on GC, she could win from the break if Movistar sends her up the road. Otherwise they might try for ARLENIS SIERRA from the main bunch.

ELISE CHABBEY -- Breakaway hopeful number 2; I think she will have to do it solo after the last climb, which is a big ask.

Prediction

Mischa Bredewold with the hat-trick and GC win after the break is caught on the uncategorized climb with six km to go.

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