Ayuso, fourth, and García Pierna, tenth and previous champion, had to change bikes and lost time
MADRID, 23 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The cyclist Jonathan Castroviejo (INEOS Grenadiers) is the new Spanish time trial champion, for the sixth time in his career, after resurfacing the demanding circuit of Sevilla la Nueva (Community of Madrid) and beating Oier Lazkano and Lluís Mas, both from Movistar Team.
Castroviejo had not won an individual time trial since, in 2019, he was proclaimed champion of Spain for the last (and fifth) time. This 2023, despite the heat and the demands of the route, he returned to riding at a high level to achieve his sixth national crown against the clock.
The man from Getxo, at 36, had been left out of the fight in recent editions but this time he tasted the sweetness of victory again, with an average of 52.269 kilometers per hour and to beat Lazkano by 3 and 6 seconds, who repeats the second position of 2022, and Mas, who completed the podium.
However, punctures and breakdowns could change everything. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) was fourth, 8 seconds behind and could not transfer his favorite role on paper to the road. Of course, a puncture forced him to change bikes and lose time. If it hadn’t been like that, he was at the time of winning the time trial and being a national champion.
And Raúl García Pierna (Kern Pharma Team), who was defending the 2022 title, had to change his bike due to a breakdown and lost time, to finish tenth in the finish line and with no options to fight to defend the crown.