Visma | Lease a Bike still have a podium chance at La Vuelta Femenina, but not with the rider you might expect

Visma | Lease a Bike made a significant move in stage 6 of the Vuelta Femenina on Friday — though not through their intended team leader Pauline Ferrand-Prévot. The reigning Tour de France Femmes winner was dropped early on the brutally steep final climb, but the remarkably young Marion Bunel once again showcased her enormous potential.

Bunel was able to stay alongside Amstel Gold Race winner Paula Blasi (UAE ADQ) for much of the climb with stage winner and new overall leader Anna van der Breggen. She ultimately finished around thirty seconds behind the Dutch rider — in third place. That is also where she sits after six stages in the overall classification.

With just one stage remaining, Visma | Lease a Bike are on course for a podium finish at the women's Tour of Spain. That said, there is still a formidable group of riders in the top ten who could yet threaten Bunel. Tomorrow the race tackles the mythical, monstrous and brutally steep Alto de l'Angliru.

For observers watching from the outside, it may have taken a moment to adjust to seeing Bunel rather than Ferrand-Prévot as Visma | Lease a Bike's best rider on the day. The reigning Tour de France Femmes winner had already stated before the Vuelta that she is not yet at her peak — and so on Friday she was, above all, simply overjoyed for her teammate and fellow Frenchwoman.

"We were where we wanted to be at every key moment. The team was absolutely brilliant. At the foot of the final climb I saw Marion pass me, and it seemed best to back her for a strong result. I'm so happy for her that she did so well," said Ferrand-Prévot via the team's channels.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Bunel herself after her outstanding day. "It's a wonderful feeling to reward the team's hard work. The atmosphere in the team is really good and we all gave everything to get the best possible result. I'm happy that I was able to show what I can do."

Now Visma | Lease a Bike and Bunel want to hold onto that podium place. "I'm hugely motivated to defend this third place and see if there's more to come. Tomorrow brings the Angliru — another brutal stage — so anything can still happen."