Carlos García fights for the victory in the Santuario del Brezo and takes a leap forward in Palencia
52ª Vuelta Ciclista a Palencia
Stage 2: Villamuriel de Cerrato – Heather Sanctuary (146.8 km)
Carlos García from Madrid was one of the great protagonists of the second stage of this reborn Vuelta a Palencia. The cyclist from Tres Cantos launched an attack at 300 metres that made him caress the victory in the first goal in the ascent of the Palencia round, but he was overtaken in the last metres by three other riders who came from behind and finished fourth, with the same time as the winner, the ‘caja rural rider’ Oier Lazkano.
The Basque, also reinforced by the bonuses (10, 6 and 4 seconds) is the new leader of a race in which García goes to occupy the fifth place, to 11 seconds, while his Italian colleague Alessandro Fancellu, tenth in Nuestra Señora del Brezo, is located in the ninth place to 18 seconds. Minimum differences, very relative, when the stage to come, this Sunday, ends in the Golobar Refuge.
“It was a pity because one kilometre from the finish line we made three riders a very interesting little hole, but there was no understanding and the head of the race was regrouped a bit. At 300 meters I launched my attack and I even thought that I could get the victory, but it just escaped me. At just ten metres I was passed by three riders, Lazkano, Juan Fernando Calle and Adne Ilhe. It’s a shame. But it also gives us more motivation to try tomorrow to get the victory in a port more of my characteristics, less explosive than today’s climb”, explains García.
Beyond Carlos García’s great finish, Alejandro Ropero from Granada was another of the great names who left this second stage of the Vuelta a Palencia. The one from Otura, accompanied by Aitor Bugarín (Supermercados Froiz), pulled out of the pack and reached around kilometre 80 to an escape of eight runners who were running at the head of the race with a minute and a half.
Lizarte and Team Extremadura worked to prevent this leak, in which several riders who might be uncomfortable were running, from leaving after two minutes. The understanding in front was very good. The work behind was very constant. The adventure is over for the final ascent.
“I’m happy, we have given war; I managed to get into the escape and give a bit of tranquility to the team behind. Carlos’s fourth place at the finish line was very good”, assesses Ropero. Álex Martín finished 17th, 15 seconds behind. Sergio Garcia, also protagonist during the first third of the day, finished 20th, at 27 seconds.
(automatic translation, sorry for mistakes)
📸 Steve Peat
