Joan Martí Bennassar, fourteenth overall after a day of much fighting by Sergio García and Carlos García
IX Volta a la Provincia de Valencia
Stage 3: Aras de los Olmos – Benageber (125.3 km)
Joan Martí Bennassar from the Balearic Islands remains the first Kometa Cycling Team under 23 in the overall Volta a Valencia after a complicated third stage for the interests of the Madrid team in this category in which the Italian Alessandro Fancellu suffered physical problems, although with the enormous satisfaction of the victory of Carlos Rodríguez, rider of the Kometa Cycling Team junior enrolled in this test in the Spanish team. Bennassar, fourteenth, is 1:49 from British Simon Carr (Aix-en-Provence).
The Spaniard Sergio García and the Spaniard Carlos García were two of the most active riders of the day within the squad, with several presences in escapes and fighting to be at the forefront of the race facing the fifth and last of the proposed orographic difficulties. Carlos was already involved in the first offensive movements. Sergio, facing the end, moved from a second group and reduced a minute of disadvantage with respect to the group of eight units that led the race. By then Fancellu had already been eliminated and would give up in goal 17:48 with respect to the winner.
Both Sergio and Carlos reached the finishing line at 1:16 of the leading group, in 25th and 27th position, respectively. Joan Martín Bennassar arrived at 1:31 in the 31st position.
“I’m very happy with the attitude of all the riders, it has been a day in which we started trying to eliminate the teamates of the leader and in which we had to change a little the script on the march because Alessandro was not well. Carlos did a great stage and Sergio was able to fill a one-minute gap to reach the head of the race. In the end the guys made a very important wear and tear and the last pass became very hard. Today, moreover, we have to congratulate the youngsters, their great result is not the result of chance. Winning a race of this calibre with this level of participation is worth highlighting,” says Rafa Diaz Justo, director of the Kometa Cycling Team under23.
(automatic translation, sorry for mistakes)
