Clásica Terres de l´Ebre – A UCI 1.2 Mens Elite (ME) 191.1 km race in Amposta, Cataluna Spain
The race consisted of a race of wide and varied terrain , generally flat for the first third of the race followed by two category 3 climbs and an un-categorized climb in succession before leading back into the plains. The final assault onto Mont Caro, a 23km Hor Categorie (HC) climb with an elevation gain of 1400meters ( 4600 ft) . The last 3km are on a steep (>12%), narrow, and twisty passage.
The plan for the day was 3 fold:
The Teams primary objective was a top 10 finish for Adam, secondly was to acquire the .
sprinters jersey and finally to make the inevitable breakaway . Establishing a presence in the breakaway would be paramount to any success at end of the day . We would need to assist our climbers upon their more than likely arrival in the closing kms
A realistic set of goals considering 4 top pro conti teams were in attendance: Burgos, Euskadel Euskadi, Kern Pharma and Caja Rural. Along with at least two top Continental teams like Soudal Quick Step and illeas Bellares
There were 4 sprints in total the 3rd and 4th on the lower trails of the two category 3 climbs
Cian opened up the arsenal early on to establish a quick lead. Although he was captured after a short moment of freedom he stayed at the pointy end of the peloton to position fast man Liam for sprint number 1
Cian set a feverish tempo with 1km to go with top gunner Liam firmly affixed to his wheel. Liam banked the last corner at 300m and lit the after burners, handily checking off sprint one. Wing-man Logan was poised and ready to fire another shot over the bow with Luke in tow. Seconds after the first sprint Logan did just that and he and a handful of pursuers took the bait establishing a 30s gap almost immediately . Wasting no time to collect his thoughts and make the juncture Cian took on the task.
“Sit tight Logan, help is on the way” Cian caught on the counter move from a Soudal Quik step rider who missed the break. The small break now represented by two Skyline boys began to gain some significant time on the bunch .
As the next sprint line approached in the city of Amposta, Cian once again started the gallop to the line, Logan lost his footing a bit on the enormous speed hump 30m before the line and had to settle for 2nd position.
The tolls of the day, 40°C temps, along with unrelenting sun and humidity proved too much for half the escapees but not before Logan crested the un-categorized climb, the trophy in the bag, after taking the final two sprints unassisted . Knowing the arrival of the hard charging peloton was about to make the capture, Logan needed to conserve for the last climb in order to be awarded the sprint award and forged on.
Time to unleash the second part of the plan. With Euskatel still in control along with occasional rotations from Burgos, the pace remained steady and slowly increasing in tempo. The race to the base of the mountain was on in earnest. Conn, Adam and Jack moved into position while the rest of the Team tirelessly worked service to keep the boys hydrated and cool. They went through nearly 5 lbs of ice and 70 bottles of fuel and water.
A well timed and synchronized move came from the Kern Pharma powerhouse squad which forced a separation of 23 riders near the 50km to go mark. Conn and Adam locked on but also needed to conserve as Jack unfortunately came unhinged. To his credit though he rode the final climb virtually alone and reached the summit inside the remaining forty or so finishers.
Conn went Conn as usual with some aggressive attacks of his own to help re-position Adam deep into the mountain. Conn held his own for a top 20 too! Adam’s top 10 in sight he pushed on, systematically picking off riders one by one in the last few kilometers of the 60+ minute climb. Adam finished 11th exactly a tire width (25mm) behind position 10. Goal achieved.
The Team entered the race with a solid plan, executed on the plan with precision. “They were flawless all day” in the words of their director who like them was elated with the outcomes. Moral is high, energy is higher and motivation at an all time peak as they move into the second half of the season. Next Stop Britanny region of France for Kreiz Bretz Elite a UCI 2.2 stage race.
Felicitaciones a todo el equipe sportivo por una espectacular actuación !
