Swiss party in Spain: Hirschi wins in Valencia, Reusser takes first victory with new team

There was more racing in Spain! Marc Hirschi won the Clássica Comunitat Valenciana . The Swiss rider from Tudor Pro Cycling won his first race in his new colors. The ladies also raced in the sun: Marlen Reusser won the Trofeo La Palma Feminina. It was also her first victory for her new team, Movistar, after she left SD Worx-Protime. So, she started 2025 perfectly after a year full of injuries and illness.

The race around Valencia was completely different from previous years' editions. Last year, Dylan Groenewegen still managed to win, but it was sure that a pure sprinter like him would not triumph this year. The finale was more challenging than ever, with the Alto de Turrón Duro (3.5 kilometers at 9%) being the main focus. And so we looked to the climbers and classic types for the win.

It all started about 30 kilometers from the finish line. On the Coll de Rates, the favorite training climb of many cyclists, there were a lot of attacks, but nobody got away. Jayco AlUla kept the pace high: they had one of the top favorites, Michael Matthews. However, he struggled on the final nasty climb as the climbers seized their chance.

Read more below the photo!

Climbers increase pressure in tough final

Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain-Victorious) went to the front, joined by Christian Scaroni (XdS Astana) and Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). Later, Marc Hirschi joined the three in the lead. The Swiss rider was riding his first race for Tudor Pro Cycling and immediately competed for the win. However, Christen accelerated the pace on the steepest sections: Buitrago broke away, and Hirschi struggled. Scaroni was the strongest uphill, but he didn't escape Christen.

The Italian didn't want to sprint against the fast Swiss; he attacked. Christen forced his compatriot to chase, but Hirschi was stronger and single-handedly pulled away from the Italian leader. Then, Buitrago passed Christen, who suddenly had António Morgado with him. It became an exciting couple-time trial, but the two at the front stayed ahead. It was a piece of cake for Hirschi in the sprint, who quickly took his first win for Tudor Pro Cycling. Scaroni finished second, ahead of Morgado.

Read more below the results!

Results Clássica Comunitat Valenciana 1969

Reusser may cheer for new team after unlucky year at La Palma Feminina

The ladies also raced in Spain. The Trofeo Palma Feminina was won by Marlen Reusser. The Swiss was the strongest in a sprint à deux with Mavi Garcia. The 41-year-old Spanish rider was combative and made the first shift on the big climb. On the descent, she went full speed ahead and got Reusser and Thalita de Jong (Human Powered Health), among others, with her. Reusser and Garcia proved to be the strongest on the second-to-last climb: they pulled away from their breakaway companions.

Together, they extended their lead over their chasers. The last three kilometers climbed again, and the Spanish from Liv AlUla Jayco knew she had to eliminate the more explosive Reusser. That didn't work, so the Movistar rider could quickly deal with her co-favorite. So Reusser has a perfect comeback: after bad luck, crashes, and post-COVID symptoms, she immediately has her first win with her new team. Behind them, De Jong finished nicely fourth, just inches from the podium: that honor went to Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ).

Results Trofeo La Palma Feminina 2025

Read also

The battle between (new) powerhouses has begun: UAE vs Red Bull 3-3 after 2025 season opener

Van der Poel’s victory gesture a coincidence? Definitely not, it was a birthday gift for Evenepoel: "Call received, bro!"

🎥 Lidl-Trek laughs, Lidl-Trek vries: Copponi wins, but Juan Pedro López disqualified in Australia

🎥 Tour Down Under 2025 Highlights: Watch all six stages, featuring Welsford three times and winner Narváez

Want to know when and where the most exciting races of 2025 will take place? Check out our updated 2025 cycling calendars for the men's and women's peloton!

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe