Havana, May 10 (RHC) - Cuban Arlenis Sierra (Movistar) reached second place in the initial stage of the III edition of the Itzulia Women-Vuelta al País Vasco, run this Friday over 140 km starting in Vitoria and Elgoibar goal.

In the longest stage of the three planned, the Cuban cycling star was second in a devilish mass sprint of almost 70 runners, who reached the finish line with 3h.25.45, led by the Dutch Misha Bredewold (SD Worx).

Baptized by Movitar as “The Panther”, Arlenis accompanied the winner in the final packaging and surpassed other stellar figures such as the also Dutch 2022 champion Demi Vollering (third) and the Olympic runner-up and monarch of the previous edition, the Swiss Marlen Reusser ((15th place).

In the tour, which will end on Sunday, more than 110 of the best riders in the world compete, distributed in 20 teams, 10 with the UCI Women's WorldTeams category and another 10 continental teams.

This Saturday the second stage will be run over 104 km on undulating terrain, which will have three mountain prizes.

The tour on Basque roads this time consists of three stages and a route of 358.9 km, in more mountainous terrain than in the two previous editions.

Arlenis Sierra, who is preparing for her third Olympic Games in Paris, is involved in another great season. This Friday was her second podium of the week, since last Wednesday she was also second in the Navarra Classic, held at a distance of 135 kilometers.