Memorial Valenciaga suspended

47th Memorial Valenciaga
Eibar-Eibar (167.5 km)

An accident about 32 kilometers to the finish line involving a member of the organization and several riders forced the suspension of the Memorial Valenciaga 2018 for safety reasons due to the lack of ambulances necessary for its normal development.

The decision on this Valenciaga, not only correct but also obligatory due to the regulations (without coverage of the ambulances there can be no competition), has been a disappointment for everyone, fans, cyclists, teams, organizers and sponsors. Such is the greatness of Valenciaga, for many it is the great event of amateur cycling in our country, a prelude to professionalism, a real springboard, a celebration of cycling. The decision is understandable. But that doesn’t stop him from grieving.

Until his suspension, the role of the Polartec-Kometa U23 had been limited to what was expected, achieving the sought-after presence at the head of the race of riders to unload work in the pack. The day, cold and wet, had had a frenetic start, with an average of 46 km/h in the first hour of the race. Daniel Viegas, Daniele Cantoni and Alejandro Ropero were very attentive to the breaks. Ropero, who had scored in several mountain pass and climbed first Elgeta, was running for the overall mountain championship.

We are already counting on the hours for the arrival of the Memorial Valenciaga 2019, which will surely be a very special edition. For the Polartec-Kometa U23, the next challenge comes in a week with the Clásica de Torredonjimeno, also scored for the Spanish Cup.
Rafa Díaz, director: “Until the moment of stopping, it was one of the fastest editions in the history of the Memorial Valenciaga, with an average speed of 44 km/h. It has also been one of the most unfortunate in the sense that there were many breakdowns, punctures, falls…. It is the first time I have experienced a situation like this. But cycling is like that and it goes on.

(automatic translation, sorry for mistakes)