Marga Fullana (ESP, Orbea) quieted those critics who have said she is past her prime today when she successfully attacked a six-pack of women chasers, beating World Champion Alison Dunlap (USA, Luna Chix) by 39 seconds in a heated contest for podium positions.

Huge crowds lined the grassy course in Casa de Campo park Sunday morning, as warm sunshine and clear blue skies greeted the first stop of the World Cup tour. The course, which winds around upon itself, offers spectators many chances to see the action.

After missing both the World and European Championships last season, Fullana was looking to demonstrate that she is still the same dominant "spider woman" we've known. And what better place and time than a race on her home turf, where Fullana came into a new season untested and unproven - save some national races in which she was unable to put her legs and lungs up against an international field.

While Dunlap was racing stateside and Sabine Spitz (GER, Merida) was tearing up the Swiss Cup, Fullana was biding her time and waiting for her chance to once again race on her own terms.

"I dedicate this win to all those people who didn't believe in me," she said afterward. "When you're doing well everyone is with you, but any other time they may turn against you," Fullana said, referring to members of the Spanish press, fans and other competitors who thought she might be "washed up" after missing last season's important season-enders due to illness.

"I wanted to show that I race on my terms," she said. "That if I miss a race it's not because I don't want to; it was because I was sick. I will race on my terms and today showed that."

While Fullana was out making this statement to her staying power, only one rider was able to counter with a credible attack. And that rider was this year's World Champion Dunlap, who was meeting up with Fullana for the first time since earning the rainbow jersey. It was a chance for Dunlap to show that she deserves the jersey, something she did by giving Marga a hard run for her money.

After riding with five other women in an ineffective chase group, Dunlap finally attacked for 2nd place. She got a pleasant surprise when she learned that her attack had yielded 25 seconds against Fullana's one-minute lead.

"Once she heard I was closing she went off hard," said Dunlap after her ride. "I had to work hard to make my attack stick, and am very happy with second today." Dunlap had gone after Fullana in the fourth lap, taking the gap down to 34 seconds, and then 26 with a half lap remaining.

"We were all together, and I noticed that on the main climb the front two riders were getting away from the group," she continued. "So I attacked on that climb and got the gap, and just kept a good cadence. All the other girls were in their big rings but I just spun my little ring."

Dunlap had been riding against her long-time rival Alison Sydor (CAN, Trek-Volkswagen), as well as members of the women's circuit's most dangerous new squad, Merida. Sabine Spitz (GER), Irina Kalentieva (RUS) and Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR) were all contenders in the chase group from Merida - and were joined by Caroline Alexander (GBR, GBR Nat'l Team).

Most took turns leading the chase, but never mustered a cohesive counterattack on Fullana, many times let the Spaniard get away. Fullana had gone out hard in the early laps, gaining 30 seconds by the end of the second lap, and a minute after lap three. That gap didn't change, a hint that the chasers might have caught her had they attacked earlier.

"We weren't working well together," confirmed Sydor. "With a large group like that it's such a battle for the podium."

According to Fullana, who was battling the flu for much of the off-season, she was simply riding at her own pace which, as it turned out, was enough to neutralize the competition.

"I had no strategy today," said Marga. "I put my own rhythm on the course, and was saying 'if you want to come, come.' I just wanted to show everyone I'm still here." For the dominant Fullana, there's little doubt her competition now knows exactly where she is.

— Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Correspondent