Published on : 05/19/2026
This Tuesday's Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria offered a course perfectly suited to puncheurs and climbers: 111 km of rolling Basque roads around Durango, featuring several climbs and a highly selective finale.
Three riders quickly animated the race by breaking away at the front.
Three riders quickly animated the race by breaking away at the front. After the peloton brought them back, a new move formed, while Cofidis remained present and attentive in the bunch. The group came back together with 18 km to go, before the final climb, the Goluria Gaina, split things apart.
On that final ascent, Ema Comte held on with the favourites for a long time before losing contact. The French neo-pro, who left the Itzulia wearing the best young rider jersey, confirmed her current excellent form by crossing the line in 6th place. Nikola Noskova takes 7th, while Nadia Quagliotto and Hannah Ludwig round off a strong team performance with 13th and 16th place respectively.
Arthur Quilliec, Sports Director:
"The race unfolded pretty much as we expected, with a steady tempo in the first half. We rode well and didn't miss the key move that went in the final circuit. In the end, everything came down to the last climb, which was really tough with gradients exceeding 15%. Ema once again showed her great momentum, building on her best young rider jersey at the Itzulia. Nikola finishes right behind her in 7th. Nadia and Hannah round off a solid collective result with 13th and 16th place. What I take away most from today is the team work around Ema, they all delivered. A real satisfaction."
