Ferrand-Prévot ahead of as Vuelta Femenina mountains: 'I can feel my legs getting better and better'

Marianne Vos could easily have been in contention for three stage wins in the opening three days of the Vuelta Femenina — but a crash in stage one ended that plan. Visma | Lease a Bike had to adapt. On stage three, that adaptation paid off. Sarah Van Dam finished third, while team leader Pauline Ferrand-Prévot is growing stronger by the day.

In the chaotic finale, the Dutch team were everywhere. Ferrand-Prévot was prominent at the front, and Marion Bunel launched an attack — but neither move came off. Cédrine Kerbaol ultimately rode clear to win the stage solo, but behind her Van Dam sprinted to a fine third place, just behind Lotte Kopecky.

The 24-year-old Canadian seized her opportunity with both hands, having already finished fifth in stage two. "I'm really happy with this," she told the team's website. "We rode really strongly as a team and stayed close together, especially once the hilly section began. It's always nice to look around in the finale and see several team-mates nearby. That was really motivating."

Van Dam joined from CERATIZIT over the winter after a strong debut season at WorldTour level. She has shown well in the Classics at Visma | Lease a Bike — seventh at Amstel Gold Race and 13th at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, having also finished fifth at the Tour Down Under. A stage win in Spain is edging closer.

In the race's final days, Van Dam's role will shift to supporting team leader Ferrand-Prévot. "I'm really pleased for Sarah," the Frenchwoman said. "We know how fast she is, but she is starting to ride more and more like a champion. That's great to see. The other girls did brilliantly today too. It didn't bring a win in the end, but this bodes very well."

That win will have to come in the final two stages, with the Alto de l'Angliru as the grand finale. Before the Vuelta, Ferrand-Prévot had been uncertain about her own chances — but confidence is building. "I'm feeling better and better. We haven't had a long climb yet, but I can feel my legs improving with each day. That's a good sign," she said.

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