Another impressive performance by Paula Blasi, who today dominated the second stage of the CIC-Tour Féminin des Pyrénées, securing a splendid victory after a long solo effort on the slopes of Col du Tourmalet. A triumphant day for UAE Team ADQ, completed by the second-place finish of Dominika Włodarczyk, who was the fastest in the sprint of the chasing group.

The stage, covering 94.9 kilometers from Arrens-Marsous to Bagnères-de-Bigorre, saw the Emirati team once again in control from start to finish. In the early part of the race, Federica Venturelli, already second in the opening stage, collected valuable points in the intermediate sprints and at the end of the day secured the points classification jersey.

The race was decided on the slopes of Tourmalet. The 23-year-old Catalan Paula Blasi attacked from far out and, kilometer after kilometer, increased her advantage over her rivals until it approached two minutes.

Behind her, Dominika Włodarczyk controlled the situation in the chasing group. The Polish rider crested the climb in second position, attempted to extend her lead on the subsequent descent, but was then caught by four other rivals. In the final sprint for second place, however, Włodarczyk proved to be the strongest, beating all her breakaway companions and finishing 1'59" behind the winner.

Thanks to this extraordinary result, Paula Blasi moves to the top of the general classification with a 1'59" advantage over her teammate Włodarczyk and other immediate challengers. The Spanish rider also leads the mountain classification.

Paula Blasi commented: "A solo attack from so far out wasn't planned. Dominika and I knew we were among the strongest climbers and we started with the conviction that we could have a great stage and play both our cards. The pace at the front wasn't particularly high and I decided to try attacking, even though there were still about 60 kilometers to go to the finish. I expected a series of counterattacks and a response from the other athletes, but no one reacted. At that point I realized it was time to keep going and I'm really happy to have secured this beautiful victory. Tomorrow we have a stage that is anything but simple, very interesting, and I'm sure that Dominika and I will have fun again trying to get the best possible result."

Tomorrow the CIC-Tour Féminin des Pyrénées will conclude with the third and final stage, 114.4 kilometers from Nay to Jurançon. A challenging and far from straightforward stage, characterized by eight third-category mountain points, which promises more spectacle and battle for the general classification.

STAGE RESULTS
1 Paula BLASI CAIROL UAE TEAM ADQ 02:42:15
2 Dominika WLODARCZYK UAE TEAM ADQ 01:59
3 Emily DIXON CANYON//SRAM ZONDACRYPTO GENERATION 01:59
4 Ema COMTE COFIDIS WOMEN TEAM 01:59
5 Juliette BERTHET FDJ UNITED - SUEZ 01:59
6 Clémence LATIMIER MA PETITE ENTREPRISE 01:59
7 Quinty SCHOENS VOLKERWESSELS CYCLING TEAM 03:46
8 Usoa OSTOLAZA ZABALA LABORAL KUTXA - FUNDACION EUSKADI 03:46
9 Yuliia BIRIUKOVA LABORAL KUTXA - FUNDACION EUSKADI 03:46
10 Malou EISEN VOLKERWESSELS CYCLING TEAM 03:46