Race 20 – LXXXIX Loinatz Proba, Beasain

After my gradual recovery from the accident, my hand was feeling quite well healed, and I just needed to get my form back up to normal after the interruption in training. So this week was not an ideal race for me, as we had a long drive up to the Basque country for the LXXXIX Loinatz Proba in Beasain, which is a 146KM mountain race with seven (7) big climbs. After my recovery, it was always going to feel like a big leap to take on the Basque country mountains, but nevertheless, it would help me get my form back, and my goal was just to suceed the mountains and achieve classification.

I was feeling ok at the start, but when we hit the first climb at a very high pace, I pushed it very hard to stay in touch with the peloton, which I did for the first 5Km of the climb, but I lost touch with just 1km of the climb to go. I used a lot of energy on the descent and a lot of power on the flat to get back to the peloton, which I did.

Then it was time to hit the 2nd mountain climb, and again I managed to stay with the peloton til part way up the climb, where I then lost touch. It was another case of pushing hard on the descent, and using my power on the flat to eventually catch the peloton again. But by this time, I had used a lot of gas, and when we hit the third mountain climb I lost touch again, and it was game over for me. My team mate Ignacio finished 22nd, so thankfully a good result for the team.

The mountains were brutal, and I need more time for my full recovery and getting my form back fully. Next week we race the two day Tour of Seville on Saturday and Sunday, then we head over to Lanzerote for the Trophy Sta. Maria Magdalena on Monday.

Results Sheet >>

Vuelve la competición en la #PruebaLoinaz. Alineación del equipo:… https://t.co/bbqUlZMpon

— Tenerife BikePoint La Sede (@PelotonTenerife) July 15, 2016

#PruebaLoinaz dorsales del equipo. Mañana arrancamos a las 9:30. pic.twitter.com/8sTnqgcfYF

— Tenerife BikePoint La Sede (@PelotonTenerife) July 16, 2016