AXEL BADIA AND DIANA PINILLA ARE THE NEW LEADERS OF THE CATALUNYA BIKE RACE

The queen stage brings surprises at the finish line before reaching Bellver de Cerdanya.

The Catalunya Bike Race experienced an exciting day in the Škoda Super Stage, the queen stage of this seventh edition, which brought a change of leaders in the general classification. The 51.50 kilometers and 1833 meters of accumulated elevation were decisive in reshaping the fight for the overall victory.

With a spectacular route, the queen stage delivered thrilling descents before reaching Vilallobent. Hugo Drechou struggled from the beginning and lost the lead, while Axel Badia seized the opportunity to become the new leader of the Catalunya Bike Race, with a two-minute gap over the second place. At the finish line, Badia said, "I went for it early, felt great on the climb, and I believe I secured the lead."

In the women’s category, Diana Pinilla became the new leader as Mónica Calderón faced technical issues during the stage, allowing Pinilla to capitalize on the time lost. Calderón finished the stage in fourth, over 20 minutes behind the new leader, and now faces the final stage with a deficit of more than 9 minutes in the overall standings. Calderón explained, "I tried to fix the tire breakage, but it was impossible. I had to make it to the aid station with mechanical support, and they changed my wheel."

Badia and Pinilla are the new leaders of the race and will defend their positions in tomorrow’s final stage from Bellver de Cerdanya, a location that has not hosted the race since the first edition in 2017.

Škoda Super Stage Classifications

Elite Men

1. Axel Badia 02:06:22

2. Martí Arán 02:07:28

3. Hugo Drechou 02:08:16

Elite Women

1. Diana Pinilla 02:39:04

2. Axelle Dubau 02:45:06

3. Noemí Moreno 02:51:05

Overall Classifications

Elite Men

1. Axel Badia 03.24:38