Paula Blasi (UAE ADQ) rocketed to the biggest win of her career Friday at the Tour de Romandie Féminin, but the 22-year-old’s breakout was relegated to a side-show.
The opening day of the WorldTour stage-race became a circus Friday morning when five leading teams were DQ’d by the UCI in a dispute over the trial of new GPS trackers.
Read more: UCI DQs 5 teams from Romandie
“It’s a bit sad, it’s a pity,” Blasi said after she saw a bittersweet victory on Friday’s opening stage.
“We always want the biggest competitors so there is more to watch and more ambition. But on the other hand, it’s also good for us – the level will not be as high, so we can play a little bit more,” she said.
“But we always want the best in the race,” Blasi continued. “It’s a little bit sad that we don’t have these big teams in the race.”
Urška Žigart (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Juliette Labous (FDJ Suez) rounded out the podium after Friday’s 4.4km uphill prologue.
Paula Blasi wins the 4.4 km uphill TT opening stage at @TourDeRomandie!
UAE Team ADQ with 3 riders in the top 10: Blasi 1st, Magnaldi 5th, Ivanchenko 8th.
Blasi leads the Swiss race and claims multiple jerseys! ♀️✨@GettySport #TDRF2025 #UAETeamADQ #UnitedToBeStronger pic.twitter.com/MyF0WctoHp
— UAETeam_ADQ (@UAETeamADQ) August 15, 2025
WorldTour rookie makes it count after tracker controversy
Blasi will take the leader’s jersey into Saturday’s crucial mountain stage.
Several pre-race favorites including Kasia Niewiadoma, Niamh Fisher-Black, and Noemi Ruegg are now heading home after the UCI controversially ejected five powerhouse teams.
The farcical situation totally tilts the narrative of the three-day race. Sadly for Blasi, the 2025 Tour de Romandie Féminin will forever be asterisked.
Nonetheless, it’s a huge win for the 22-year-old.
The young Spaniard only stepped up from the UAE devo team this summer and has only three other pro wins to her name.
“I was not expecting to be up there,” Blasi said at the finish. “I knew I was in good shape, I come from altitude, but my main goal is preparing for Tour de l’Avenir [later this month – ed].
“Romandie was kind of ‘let’s see how I start.’ Of course I always go full gas, but I didn’t expect this,” she said.