The new project of the NSN team (which responds to the ‘Jamesbondian’ Never say never) emerged after acquiring the license that was released by the … Israel Premier Tech was born with a piece of bread under its arm. To the victory achieved by Ethan Vernon in the last Tour Down Under, this Wednesday was added that achieved by Biniam Girmay after winning the sprint in the first stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. The former footballer Andrés Iniesta, one of the patrons of this new team, already has his first joy.
Girmay raised her arms after a 160 kilometer stage, between Segorbe and Torreblanca, nervous, treacherous and determined in the old style: pure speed and hot legs. The race broke out in Puerto de Los Madroños, where the day’s breakaway was neutralized and a fall split the group. There were 19 runners ahead, with a twenty-second lead that seemed like a promise of tactical warfare. Red Bull-Bora took command, setting a selective pace until, with twenty kilometers to go, Remco Evenepoel’s men lifted their foot. It was then that Giulio Pellizzari smelled an opportunity and left alone. The Italian, who debuted his professional record last year with an impressive stage victory at the end in El Morredero de La Vuelta, gave the peloton a solo challenge in the final stages, but was neutralized in the last kilometer by the fast men’s teams and the convoy launched the sprint under the leadership of Uno-X Mobility. Turner opened fire, Girmay took the center of the road and, with power and temperance, resisted the final comeback of Marit and Lonardi. In a tight sprint, the Eritrean beat Arne Marit by centimeters, who had just won the Palma Trophy in the Mallorca Challenge, and took the leader’s jersey.
The bad news of the day had Mads Pedersen as the protagonist. The Lidl-Trek cyclist did not reach the finish line after suffering a fall at a “key point” of the stage, according to his team. For now he will miss important days of competition and might have to stop training.
This Thursday, 17 km individual time trial between Carlet and Alginet. Turn for Evenepoel.
Orts, third in Maldegem
The Belgian Neils Vandeputte (Alpecin Premier Tech) won this Wednesday in the Exact Cross of Maldegem after an intense battle with his compatriot Joran Wyseure (Crelan Corendon) and the Spanish champion, Felipe Orts (Ridley), who finally confirmed his sweet form with third place
