Polti Kometa come back to Spain for Clásica de Almería
Team Polti Kometa faces on two new weeks of competition in Spain, starting this Sunday with the Clásica de Almería, a race with a huge level of participation that is normally reserved for sprinters.
The race will be 193 kilometres long with two distinct parts: a hilly first half through the interior of Almería in which the breakaway of the day could have their opportunity, and another flat section but exposed to the possible effects of the wind, in which the main peloton will be able to split off. Four climbs will mark the fight for a jersey that will be decided in Almerimar, where the effect of the wind will begin to be felt with 50 kilometres of the race still to go. In the last 20 kilometres of the race, the riders will make up to three passes over the finish line in Roquetas de Mar, with the six-kilometre urban circuit leading to the final sprint.
In the line-up called to compete in the race, the fastest riders of the squad stand out, with David Martín as a reference, who already fought last year in this race, although he could not reach the reduced front group in the final circuit. Manuel Peñalver and Javier Serrano will be there to accompany, protect and place him in those final kilometres, where the wind usually plays an important role. Both will be responsible for ensuring that David reaches the final left-hand turn with every guarantee of being able to raise his arms.
The block is completed with great riders such as Andrea Pietrobon and Fran Muñoz, always with the captaincy of the veteran and experienced Diego Pablo Sevilla who will also try to contribute his knowledge of the race, where he has already participated twice. For his part, Davide Bais will make his debut in Almeria to complete the first kilometres of the season after his victory in the Giro d’Italia 2023. A cyclist who is undoubtedly destined for great success this season.
David Martín: “I’m very motivated, I’m racing at home (Andalucía) and the route suits me very well. I think the group will be selected on the climbs, there will be a lot of nerves because of the wind that is likely to appear in the final part, and on the circuit we will try to be well placed with the team-mates. We have to save energy for the finish, last year I didn’t have my best feelings but this time I think I can get a great result”.
Sports director Jesús Hernández also values the team’s participation in the Clásica de Almería: “It is a race that we know well, which maintains its format and route, with the mountainous area in the farthest part of the day and the finish marked by the possible crosswind. This always makes the final kilometres tougher, but a sprint is sure to come. We have a team led by and for this finish, relying on David Martín with the support of Peñalver and Serrano, and helped by the rest of the team. The idea is not to be in a breakaway if it is not dangerous, with no options at the finish, and to work to defend our options in the mass sprint finish”.
