Cycling, Swinkels sprints to victory in Cinquale race

Cinquale (Massa), 9 March 2025 – Karlijn Swinkels won the Trofeo Oro in Euro over two breakaway companions. An impeccable team effort by the UAE girls, who today once again demonstrated their strength and unity, reacting with determination after yesterday’s difficult day at the Strade Bianche. The race took place with start and finish in Cinquale di Montignoso.

After five laps on a flat circuit, the course heated up in the final two laps, featuring the climb of La Fortezza. As expected, it was this climb that decided the race. UAE Team ADQ took charge of operations, imposing a high pace and selecting the leading group, where Persico, Magnaldi, Wlodarczyk and Swinkels remained. On the final climb came the decisive attack by Swinkels, Wlodarczyk and Pieterse, who gained an advantage, working together to increase the gap on the chasing group. The final sprint saw the three of them as protagonists, with the Polish champion launching the sprint and Swinkels, impeccable in the sprint, capable of overtaking her compatriot Pieterse and taking a splendid victory. Swinkels, after the success, said: "Last year I was close to winning here, this year I gave it my all. Everything was perfect: first Erica Magnaldi went into the breakaway, then on the last climb my teammates imposed an impressive pace to make selection. Dominika attacked and we were left with three. We worked very well together and in the end I could do nothing but win to end this day in the best possible way".

ORDER OF ARRIVAL: 1)Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ) Km106, in 2h31'19”, average km 42,435; 2) Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck); 3) Domenika Wlodarczyk (UAE Team ADQ) at 3”; 4)Anne Knijnenburg (VolkerWessels Women's Pro Cycling Team) at 50”; 5)Linda Zanetti (Uno-X Mobility); 6)Skalniak; 7)Vanpachtenbeke; 8)Perch; 9) Engagement; 10) Quagliotto.