Lara Gillespie creates history at Vuelta Espana Femenina
The UAE Team ADQ rider was positioned outside the top 10 as the sprint unfolded but powered past multiple riders before the line in Baltanas.
The stage was won by Marianne Vos (Visma Lease a Bike), widely recognised as the greatest female competitor of all time, ahead of another Dutchwoman Mischa Bredewold (Team SD Worx-Protime).
The Australian Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez) was third.
Gillespie's speed inside the final 200 metres was highly impressive. Had she been better positioned inside the final kilometre a podium finish would have been achievable.
"This is a nice step in the ride direction for me," she said. "My first grand tour stage race is a whole new experience. These climbs, descents and technical finishes are also new for me."
The Vuelta Espana Femenina is, in English, the women's Tour of Spain. Together with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift and the Giro d'Italia Women, they are the most important stage races in the sport.
Gillespie's performance is hugely significant, not least because she is still in her first full season as a WorldTour rider. Her UAE Team ADQ squad promoted her from its development team last June on the back of three race victories.
The Enniskerry rider is Ireland's top female cyclist, shining on track and road despite being just 24 years of age. In February she became the first Irishwoman to win an elite European track championship, taking the elimination race in Zolder, Belgium.
Her performances on the road mark her out as one who is well on the way to becoming one of the sport's top sprinters.
Gillespie is embracing that role, and is encouraged by her showing on Friday in Spain.
"I feel fast in the finish but I'm learning how to position myself to compete for the win," she said.
"Step by step. I'm already excited for the next opportunity to sprint in a few weeks again."
The Vuelta Espana Femenina ends Saturday with a tough summit finish, not Gillespie's ideal terrain. She will recharge after the race in advance of her next events.
She is provisionally scheduled to ride the Omloop der Kempen Ladies in the Netherlands on 17 May, but her team told RTÉ Sport today that confirmation of her next event will come at a later date.
It is not clear if she could be considered for this year's Tour de France Femmes avez Zwift. However, her performance on Friday should boost her chances of selection for the race, which takes place in late July.
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