Mike O'Connor
Australian champion Mackenzie Coupland sealed the overall title at the Vuelta a Extremadura Femenina with a decisive victory on the final stage, while teammate Talia Appleton secured third overall to cap a dominant performance for Liv AlUla Jayco.
The 20-year-old road race national champion from Perth sprinted clear of her final rival Lauren Dickson after the pair escaped the peloton in the closing kilometres of the 139km stage to Jaraíz de la Vera.
Coupland’s win delivered not only the stage victory but also the overall general classification, along with the youth and points jerseys.
The final day proved especially successful for the Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental squad. A small lead group formed late in the stage with strong representation from the Australian team through Coupland, Appleton and Sidney Swierenga.
The trio used their numerical advantage to launch attacks, eventually allowing Coupland to break clear and fight for the stage win.
Behind her, Appleton sprinted to third on the stage, a result that lifted her onto the final general classification podium. Swierenga also finished strongly, giving the team three riders inside the top five overall.
Coupland said the stage was demanding, featuring a series of long climbs before the decisive finale.
“It was a hard stage today with quite long climbs one after another,” she said.
“It was really nice being part of this team again and with such strong girls we were able to be aggressive in the race today. We had many cards to play and it definitely worked in our favour.
“It obviously feels amazing to win. Winning is so hard and comes rare, but I am very proud of not only my ride but every single one of the girls. Everyone played their role amazingly.”
Sports director Przemyslaw Kasper said the team had targeted both the stage and the overall classification with Coupland and Appleton.
“The plan was to go for the stage win but also the GC with Mack and Talia,” Kasper said. “Right from the start the team performance was great and we always had the most dangerous moves covered.
“In the final we attacked because we still had three strong climbers in that group and it was clear we were one of the strongest teams in the race.”
The victory marks Coupland’s first overall stage race win and continues a strong early season for the Australian champion in her first months competing at the WorldTour level.
Stage 3 – Jaraíz de la Vera (139km)
- Mackenzie Coupland (Liv AlUla Jayco) – 3:46:04
- Lauren Dickson – same time
- Talia Appleton (Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental) +0:11
Final General Classification
- Mackenzie Coupland (Liv AlUla Jayco) – 7:28:32
- Lauren Dickson +0:52
- Talia Appleton (Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental) ST
