Cycling: The American Shelley Olds (Alé-Cipollini) won the women's race as part of the final stage of the Tour of Spain. She won the mass sprint of a peloton of about 50 riders.
The Madrid Challenge by La Vuelta led over a distance of 87 kilometers and was held on the same five-kilometer circuit in the heart of the Spanish capital, on which the men's Tour of Spain ended a little later. Despite numerous attacks, everything came together again five kilometers before the finish line and the sprint trains of the Alé Cipollini and Hitec Products teams formed. On the slightly uphill home straight, it was 34-year-old Shelley Olds who was able to prevail in the bunch sprint after 2:06 hours driving time. She relegated the Italian Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle-Honda) and the Dutch Kirsten Wild (Hitec Products) to second and third place.
The principle of incorporating women's races into the final stages of the men's three-week tours seems to be working. Thousands of spectators watched the race from the side of the track, Eurosport broadcast it live. Also the equivalent of the Spanish race – La Course by Le Tour as part of the last stage of the Tour de France - was a success story with exciting sport, numerous spectators and satisfied drivers. Especially for Anna van der Breggen, who could win the race.
Women's cycling seems to be on the rise. In the coming year there will be a women's WorldTour, a tour of Spain is under discussion and the German manufacturer Canyon has also recognized the signs of the times and is sponsoring a female professional team in the coming year.