Sarah van Dam (Ceratizit) was the revelation of the 2025 Itzulia Girls. The 23-year-old Canadian was on the pointy finish of the race each day, ending within the top-five on all three phases and securing a GC podium with a second place on stage 3 – all that in her first full European season.
“I am a bit speechless, truthfully, I simply cannot consider that occurred. The group rode superb, from the beginning we have been actually aggressive. We had numerous playing cards to play, and I simply need to thank everybody for all their exhausting work,” Van Dam hadn’t fairly realised her success within the post-race interview.
Van Dam impressed on the primary two phases already, putting fifth and fourth, nevertheless it was her efficiency on the third and ultimate stage that put her on the GC podium. She was a part of the group round yellow jersey Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime) over the decisive Mendizorrotz climb.
On the ultimate kilometre, Van Dam responded to an assault by Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance coverage-Soudal) on the ultimate kilometre and outsprinted her for second place on the stage, the bonus seconds placing her on the general podium.
“It was a tough stage. I wasn’t certain the way it was going to go. I knew that after three days, it was going to be a tough day. I simply needed to hold preventing, and I fought to the tip. I am so completely happy,” stated Van Dam after the stage.
Bredewold misplaced the yellow jersey on the ultimate stage however can look again on the Basque stage race with a smile, realizing that she achieved the whole lot potential with two stage victories, second place general and the factors jersey.
“We knew it was going to be very troublesome, and it is not a secret that we would have liked a bit of little bit of a miracle. I truly had a extremely good day. I felt sturdy, however on the climbs, she [Vollering] is on one other degree now, so I shouldn’t be embarrassed about this. I could be tremendous proud of second on GC and two phases. It is the best potential at this second for me,” stated Bredewold.
