Race 13 – XVIII GP Macario

 

 

Today was the final race in the prestigious Copa de Espana, the XVIII GP Macario – Ayto de Alcalá de Henares el Domingo, which was a fast 155Km race with four category 3 mountain climbs and one category 2 climb. The weather was really warm, and we headed over to Alcala de Henares on the east of Madrid, a 55Km road journey from our team meeting point.

There was a lot at stake for the major players, who were fighting for the overall, but for our team, we were simply fighting for a team point, which was also a big task with the ultimate battles that were going on around us.

 

As soon as the race was de-neutralised, already there was a big breakaway group, as the protagonists of the race immediately went into battle for the final time in the series. With some GC (General Classification) contenders already in in the break, the GC contenders left behind in the Peloton were chasing them down, and this very fast pace combined with the winds created a lot of mess in the peloton.

I managed to hold a good position in the peloton over the first two climbs, but as we went up the third climb, which was the King of the Mountain (K.O.M) climb, the accelerations went into overdrive and the pace of the bunch went up, causing a lot of damage. I hung on to my team mate’s wheel, but eventually I cracked and I was dropped from the peloton at this point. Meanwhile my team mate Ignacio Zamanillo surged ahead on the climbs and put in a great performance to finish in the main group in 77th place, just 2.06 down on the leader.

 

I finished the race really disappointed that I couldn’t stay with the main group on the K.O.M. climb, but also thankful that I have had the opportunity to race in most of the races in the amazing Copa de Espana over the last 3 months. It’s been a great experience racing against some of the best climbers and teams in Spain, in some of the best organised races. For this I have to thank everyone who has supported me and given me this opportunity, including my team and team staff who put in a lot of work and commitment to the Pizzeria Espanola project.

 

Now I get back to training and aim my sights on the upcoming important stage races, and next Sunday I will be racing closer to base at the Trofeo Paloma in Fuenlabrada.

 

Results Sheet >>

Race Report Ciclo21 >>

Race Programme >>

 

Photos: Alvaro Garcia/Pizzeria Espanola

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: Alvaro Garcia/Pizzeria Espanola

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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