The third edition of the Catalan stage race kicked off with a 92-kilometre stage over undulating terrain. Laura Molenaar rode alone at the front of the peloton for a long time, but was caught six kilometers from the finish. Margaux Vigié guided Veenhoven and Vos to the front in the final stretch and put the pair in an excellent position heading for the finish.

Veenhoven initiated the sprint and saw that only Vos could keep up. The pair then crossed the line with a substantial lead over the rest. Veenhoven secured her first victory of the season and gave the team its second win. "We’re all absolutely delighted with this", beamed Veenhoven afterwards.

"The plan was to sprint with Marianne today, but Margaux’s lead-out was so good that the two of us were able to ride to the finish line together. In the end, I crossed the line first and Marianne came second,” said the youngster, who has already been on the podium several times this season. “I think I’m developing well as a sprinter and I hope to continue in the same way."

Vos was also delighted afterwards. The Dutchwoman covered her first race kilometers since her crash in the Vuelta a España and managed to secure a podium place straight away on her return. “It’s great to be back in the mix. It always takes a bit of getting used to in the peloton, but thanks in part to the team, it went really well", said Vos.

"We had a plan with the team and we executed it brilliantly. Maud did a great job of controlling the gap to the race leader, and in the final stretch Margaux gave us a perfect lead-out. On the final straight, Nienke accelerated and I went after her. I looked back, but saw that no one else was getting past. Finishing first and second is fantastic. I’m really happy about that."

Sports director Joppe de Heij was also visibly pleased with the success. "It was a brilliant day. The ladies executed the plan perfectly. Maud did a superb job of closing the gap on the leader, and Margaux took Nienke and Marianne into a perfect position for the final straight. We wanted to win the stage with Marianne, but in the end Nienke took the victory and Marianne finished second. This result gives us a lot of confidence for the days ahead."