Paula Blasi finished second at the Pointe du Raz Ladies Classic in France after an attacking performance from UAE Team L’IMAD saw several of its riders shape the race.
Blasi followed up her victory at the same finish last year with another podium, sprinting to second behind Nina Berton (EF Education-Oatly). UAE Team L’IMAD’s strong showing continued with Elisa Longo Borghini finishing eighth and Megan Jastrab earning the day’s most combative rider award.
The 129.5-kilometre race started at Pointe du Raz and finished in Plouhinec. A demanding circuit featuring several gravel sections added further difficulty and helped make the race increasingly selective.
Jastrab drives early UAE Team L’IMAD attack
UAE Team L’IMAD worked through the opening part of the race to protect its key riders and keep them well positioned.
American rider Megan Jastrab then made a decisive move, joining two other riders in a breakaway that remained at the front for much of the middle section of the race.
More riders later bridged across to the break. Paula Blasi, Elisa Longo Borghini and Maeva Squiban were among them, giving UAE Team L’IMAD a strong numerical presence at the front.
However, the team also faced some bad luck during the race, including a puncture for Squiban.
Longo Borghini attacks as front group splits
As the race intensified, Longo Borghini launched the first attack on a climb. French champion Célia Gery immediately responded to the move.
The front group eventually came back together before Gery attacked again. This time, Blasi and Sarah Van Dam followed, creating a new three-rider group at the head of the race.
The trio carried its advantage into the closing stages. However, the chasing riders gradually reduced the gap as the finish approached.
Blasi narrowly misses second consecutive victory
The three leaders were caught just before the finishing straight, setting up a sprint for the victory.
Blasi remained in contention despite the late catch and launched her sprint in an attempt to repeat her victory on the same finish from the previous year.
However, Nina Berton (EF Education-Oatly) produced a powerful late surge, passing Blasi and Célia Gery (FDJ United-SUEZ) in the final metres to take the win.
Blasi secured second place, while Longo Borghini crossed the line in eighth.
Jastrab recognised as most combative rider
Jastrab’s earlier attacking efforts were also recognised after the finish. The American stepped onto the podium during the awards ceremony after being named the most combative rider of the day.
The award reflected both her time in the breakaway and her contribution to UAE Team L’IMAD’s aggressive approach throughout the race.
After the finish, Blasi highlighted the team’s cooperation and ability to remain involved whenever attacks developed.
“The race was very chaotic, but just like last year, I really enjoyed it. We had some bad luck, such as Maeva Squiban’s puncture, but as a team we worked really well, with great cooperation and communication. Megan Jastrab did an incredible job. We were always in control and had the numerical advantage, so I think we did a great job again today. Whenever one of us attacked, the others were always there to cover perfectly. There were many attacks throughout the race and we were always present. In the finale, I tried to get into that trio to see if we could make something happen, but the riders behind came back very strongly. In the end, I still managed to sprint and I’m happy with the result.”
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