Karlijn Swinkels delivered a commanding performance to win the Trofeo Binissalem-Andratx, the third and final round of the Challenge Mallorca Femenina, capping another standout day for UAE Team ADQ.
In addition to Swinkels’ victory, UAE Team ADQ placed Eleonora Gasparrini sixth and Maeva Squiban eighth, underlining the team’s depth and consistency across the three-day series.
Originally scheduled over a longer distance, the race was shortened to 75.5 kilometres, running from Binissalem to Port d’Andratx, after strong winds forced organisers to modify the course. The change in distance also shaped the tactical approach, encouraging aggressive racing from the early kilometres.
An early breakaway of eight riders quickly established itself at the front of the race. UAE Team ADQ was well represented, with Swinkels and Gasparrini joining the move alongside several strong climbers, including De Jong, Ottestad and Silvestri. The group steadily built an advantage of almost two minutes and reached the base of the decisive final climb, just under four kilometres in length with a gap of approximately 1 minute and 45 seconds.
On the false-flat approach to the climb, Gasparrini launched a sharp attack that forced the group to respond, thinning the leading selection. As the road steepened on the final ramps, Swinkels made the decisive acceleration. Only Movistar Team rider Liane Lippert and Uno-X Mobility’s Mie Bjørndal Ottestad were able to follow.
In the uphill sprint to the finish in Port d’Andratx, Swinkels proved the most explosive, taking a clear victory. The result marked her first win of the season and the second victory in three days for UAE Team ADQ at the Challenge Mallorca Femenina.
After the race, Swinkels reflected on the performance “This was a really special day. I think throughout this Challenge we showed exceptional teamwork every single day, and today I’m very happy that I was able to take the win. We started with a lot of confidence and high morale after Maeva’s victory on the first day. It certainly wasn’t easy, as today was another very tough race, but everything came together and I couldn’t miss this opportunity to win.”
To learn more on Team ADQ, listen to Inside UAE Team ADQ with Melissa Moncada on the Mettleset podcast
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