MADRID, 24 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The cyclists Mavi García and Raúl García Pierna have been proclaimed this Friday Spanish time trial champions in the Spanish Elite-U23 Road Cycling Championship in Mallorca, a title that represents the fourth, third consecutive, for the Balearic Islands and the first for the man from Madrid
In Cala Millor, Mavi García was the fastest of the 27 cyclists participating in the 21.5-kilometre test with just over 230 meters of elevation gain and crossed the finish line in a time of 29:57, all despite suffering some brake problems. Thus, she headed a podium in which she was accompanied by Sheyla Gutiérrez, second with a time of 30:49, and Sandra Alonso, third, half a second behind the Riojan.
“I was more nervous than other times, I knew that when I raced at home there were more people watching me, it’s not like when they see you on TV, and I wanted to do well. I’m very happy with the victory, I felt very well, and I have taken a small weight off myself for tomorrow,” said the Balearic.
In the men’s elite event, the Kern Pharma cyclist Raúl García Pierna was able to compensate in the best way for his fourth place last year, just a few seconds from the podium, with his first national time trial title, by finishing the 38.5 kilometers of the route in a time of 46:23.
The Movistar Team cyclist Oier Lazkano has won silver (46:38) and Xabier Mikel Azparren (Euskaltel-Euskadi), with a time of 46:46, won bronze after beating great references such as Carlos Rodríguez, Juan Ayuso or Ion Izagirre, who could not retain the title and was fifth.
“From a very young age I saw Castroviejo being the champion of Spain and I dreamed of being one day myself. The time trial is a discipline that I love, I am passionate about training and preparing it and being champion of Spain is a dream come true. Last year I was fourth and I knew that this year, having improved my position on the goat, I could do even better in a long time trial like this, and I’m also in better shape. and I have achieved it,” said García Pierna.
In the elite amateur category, the great favorite Eloy Teruel did defend his championship title with a time of 49:21 ahead of Noel Martín and Yago Segovia. In the U-23 category, Idoia Eraso and Pablo Castrillo have been proclaimed champions against María Banlles and Mireia Trias and Pablo García and Fernando Tercero, respectively.