Bennassar comes close to a medal in a U23 time trial at the Nationals with Medina and Segovia in the top 10

Spanish Cycling Championship 2021
U23 ITT men
Busot – Busot (24,6 km)

The Balearic Joan Martí Bennassar finished fourth in an U23 time trial in which the other two participants of the U23 structure of the Contador Foundation, the Andalusian José Luis Medina and the Asturian Yago Segovia, finished in the top ten. Igor Arrieta from Navarre won the gold medal by under 32 minutes. Pablo García from Madrid and Mikel Azparren from the Basque Country completed the podium. Six second more for the Mallorcan rider.

The eldest of the Bennassar brothers, a great specialist, was one of the great aspirants for the title. Double bronze medallist in the event (2018, 2019), Joan Martí came out to compete in second place, without references. His performance was excellent from the first pedal stroke, with a very consistent first part in which he set the best time of the day at the intermediate point. After a not easy time trial, with many steep slopes on the course, he stopped the clock at 32’18” and set the best time until Arrieta’s arrival at the finish line.

José Luis Medina, from Cadiz, in his first year in the category, finished in an outstanding sixth place (32’33”). “The time trial was very hard. The first part of the time trial was favourable, with a crosswind. In the uphill part, the wind was from behind or from the side”, said Medina. “The last kilometres had three quite hard climbs that could be a bit of a ball. But I’m very happy because I gave everything during the whole race. Maybe some of the climbs could have been a bit more difficult, but in the end I gave everything I had. Now it’s time to keep improving for everything that’s to come”.

Yago Segovia, from Asturias, finished the time trial in eighth position, after stopping the clock at 32’38”. “In the first part, which was very favourable, there probably wasn’t much difference. Or very big. Then there were ten kilometres of very tough racing and the last part, with the steep climbs. In general, the feeling was very good. Up to the intermediate point I went well, but in the zone of the steep slopes it was more difficult and I lost time. But I’m happy and now it’s time to think about this Saturday’s road race”.

[📷  Real Federación Española de Ciclismo]