Iván Loaisa leads the team’s perfect display in the first stage of the Vuelta a Valladolid

The Vuelta a Valladolid began with a long 122-kilometer stage with an uphill finish after a windy and undulating terrain. Halfway through the stage the race broke up leaving the bunch split into several groups. Eleazar Jiménez and Iván Loaisa joined in the lead and completed a magnificent display to be first and second. Robinson Rincón was third and Óscar Orts sixth and best first year rider.

The stage followed a very high pace from the start due to the influence of the wind. The team remained attentive from the start as different groups formed. Eleazar Jiménez tried his luck by attacking from a long way off. Behind Óscar Orts, Robinson Rincón and Iván Loaisa rode in a chasing group with the rest of the teammates a little further back. Iván Loaisa found the time to attack and link up with Jiménez.

When they faced the final part of the stage, Jiménez himself suffered a puncture, but Loaisa waited and they continued their adventure together. The ride came to a successful conclusion with the Andalusian taking the victory. Jiménez was second and Rincón completed the podium of a successful stage for the team.

“It was a very tough stage from the start because of the wind and the high pace. Eleazar was very brave attacking from far away and then I saw the moment to attack and go alone to link up with him. From there to the finish line to death. I want to give credit for this victory to him because without his help I wouldn’t have won. This has just begun”, said Iván Loaisa, summing up a stage where the team swept the field.