Spanish cyclist Paula Blasi claimed her first Grand Tour victory at the Vuelta Femenina, cementing her status as one of the sport's rising stars. The home rider triumphed on the punishing slopes of L'Angliru, the iconic Asturias climb that featured for the first time in the women's race. "I would think you were joking," Blasi said when asked how she would have reacted if someone told her she would win.

Blasi began cycling competitively in 2024 after an injury ended her athletics career, yet she has quickly established herself among the elite. Her breakthrough season included victory at Amstel Gold Race and strong performances at La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. The race was decided four kilometres from the finish when French rider Marion Bunel attacked on L'Angliru, and Blasi kept pace while two-time winner Anna van der Breggen fell behind.

Behind Blasi, 36-year-old Anna van der Breggen finished second overall, with Team Visma Lease a Bike rider Marion Bunel, 21, taking third. "It was crazy," Blasi said of the climb. "The best thing I could do was not think about it. I knew it would be about 50 minutes and so I said, 'just keep going'. But I started to see Anna struggling and I said 'let's go for it'." The victory marks a remarkable ascent for a rider who transitioned from athletics just two years ago and has now claimed the biggest title in women's cycling.