Savilia Blunk takes the victory at the Internacionales de Chelva

Savilia Blunk takes the victory at the Internacionales de Chelva. The American rider was in the leading group from the beginning, escaped with Richards towards the middle of the race and left the British behind shortly after. Richards herself and Belomoina, after a great comeback, arrived behind her.

 

Blunk defeats Richards to achieve the third victory of the year at the Internacionales de Chelva

The race started in Cheva with strict punctuality and the 39 riders began to pedal under the sun of the Valencian town. Anne Tauber pushed the pedals like no one in the first meters and took the lead. The Dutchwoman won in a start filled with big names such as Evie Richards, Jolanda Neff, Savilia Blunk, or Sina Frei, among others.

The first lap passed without major news, but it served for the favorites to feel out the race and settle in the top positions. The riders completed the initial kilometers without significant differences between them; a moment to store energy and assess the situation.

However, it didn't take long for the pace at the front to start taking its toll on most legs. In this way, the group broke apart and the leading group was formed by five riders: Neff took the lead and took on the responsibility of leading the way, while Richards, Tauber, Blunk, and Teocchi followed closely behind.

Behind them, Belomoina, Queirós, Loiv, and Guille organized themselves in a chasing quartet that tried to keep their options alive, although the distance with those ahead was established at about 12 seconds.

 

The leading group remained together during the second lap. The five members rode in unison and the differences refused to appear, even though at times it seemed like they were stretching out and one of them might lose contact. The race had entered a temporary truce that, on the other hand, had confirmed them as the only contenders for victory.

Neff led for a long time, although it was Blunk and Richards who showed to be more inspired when they shook things up, raised the stakes, and pulled away from Tauber, Teocchi, and Neff themselves, unable to match their pedaling.

The leading pair understood each other well and established a secure rule that withered the hopes of the opposition. Despite appearances, the strengths were unbalanced and the reality came to light a lap later: Blunk left Richards behind and the American put some distance between her and her companion up to that point. Richards showed determination and tried to hold her ground.

However, Blunk's stubbornness allowed her to withstand an attack that was too much for Richards. The British rider was left in no man's land, as she had a significant gap with the rest. The battle shifted behind them and now it was Tauber -victim of a flat tyre-, Neff, and Belomoina -who caught up with the group after a good comeback- who fought for the third place.

 

The next few minutes sealed Richards' fate, as she gradually became aware of how difficult winning had become. There were still kilometers to pedal, but only a twist of fate could change the top two positions.

Thus, Savilia Blunk completed the final stretch of the race with authority and raised her arms to confirm the victory at the Internacionales de Chelva. Third triumph of the season for the American, who also had a leading role in the Shimano Supercup Massi in La Nucía.

Richards consolidated second place and Belomonia, who managed to catch up with Tauber, finished third.