Return to Xàtiva and its Fira d’Agost with a revamped Trophy that promises strong emotions

A revamped edition of one of the great one-day races of national summer cycling, even more so with the suspensions and postponements that have occurred this summer. A different circuit, equally demanding in the mountains, and a higher mileage make up the main lines with respect to other years of a Trofeu Fira d’Agost de Xátiva that is heading steadily towards its three and a half decades of life. A history in which a few years ago the now professionals Alejandro Ropero (in 2019) and Fernando Tercero (in 2020) were in charge of leaving the mark of the U23 structure of the Contador Foundation.

Xátiva is a city with a great love of cycling, as is the whole region, and the local festivities, with roots in the Middle Ages, are an excellent occasion for the celebration of multiple cultural and sporting events. Cycling, of course, cannot be missed since the current event was implemented in 1982, resumed in 2017 after several years of hiatus with the organisation of the Club Ciclista Bicicletas Sanchis and the Ajuntament de Xàtiva. The ascents to Benigamim (three kilometres at 5%) and Serragrosa (2.5 km at 4.4%), which will be passed on four occasions, are the flagship of the mountain prizes of a leg-breaking route with several more steep climbs along the way. And, as in other years, there will be an uphill finish in Baixada Estaciò street.

Con el objetivo de cuajar una bonita actuación, tener presencia y disputar la victoria, la estructura sub23 de la Fundación Contador acude con un ‘ocho’ conformado por Luca Bagnara, Haimar Etxeberria, Ramón Fernández, Álex García, Antonio González, Raúl López, Sebastiano Minoia y Andrea Montoli.

Ramón Fernández regresa a la competición después de haberse visto obligado a parar por problemas físicos cuando ultimaba su preparación para el Giro del Valle de Aosta. “Permanecí completamente parado una semana y volví a los entrenamientos de forma progresiva, pero tuve que volver a parar de nuevo. En las últimas semanas he podido volver a entrenarme con normalidad, metiendo buena carga y con la sensación de que he recuperado la frescura. De cara a la competición es posible que me pueda costar aún un poco, ya que no tengo el ritmo de competición de otros compañeros y rivales, pero intentaré hacerlo lo mejor posible. Son muchas las ganas de correr y de ir cogiendo un buen punto de forma para los compromisos de septiembre”.

[? Lucas Abad]