Javi Serrano, first leader of the Vuelta a Extremadura after a great EOLO-KOMETA team time trial

Vuelta a Extremadura
Stage 1: Zafra – Zafra ( 6 km TTT)

The Vuelta a Extremadura started this Wednesday with an afternoon time trial in which the EOLO-KOMETA Cycling Team U23, the penultimate team to take the start, finished with the best time of the nineteen participating teams. A short time trial, just 6 kilometres, with long straights and sections where it was possible to ride at high speed, above 65 km/h.

The seven riders of the amateur structure of the Contador Foundation, led by Félix García Casas, stopped the clock at 6’41”, seven seconds better than the time previously set by the Lizarte team and eight seconds below the time set by Caja Rural. Javi Serrano, first rider of the EOLO-KOMETA Cycling Team to cross the finish line, became the first leader of the Extremadura race.

Javi Serrano, first leader of the Vuelta a Extremadura: “We go out to all the races to give everything and to do our best. We are coming from a very good year and in the recent Vuelta a Castellón we have continued in this good line, although the victory has eluded us. And personally, I’m struggling. It wasn’t planned that I would cross first, it came out a bit like that after going flat out in the last corner. In the end we are all in yellow, it’s a victory for everyone and tomorrow a new race starts. Let’s see if we can continue in this line”.

Félix García Casas, team manager in Extremadura: “The riders have given their all and this shows the work and strength of the group beyond an individuality. It is very motivating for us. We considered the option of bringing the time trial bikes, I think it has proved that it was a test for this material in order to fight for the victory. This time trial was even more special because of the atmosphere. It’s exciting to see the city of Zafra for us, very special, to see so many people”.

This Thursday the race faces a second stage that will connect the towns of Llerena and Quintana de la Serena after 142 kilometres in which the heat will surely be one of the main protagonists of a stage that presents some orographic complications of some importance in the area around Hornachos.