Carlos García and Jorge Pastor, highlighted in Ávila

XLV Ávila Cycling Tour
Stage 2: Navalacruz-Navarrevisca (139.3 km)

The Vuelta a Ávila 2018 concluded with a final victory for Iván Martínez (SuperFroiz), winner of the second and final stage, and with two Polartec-Kometa riders among the top ten finishers in the final general classification. Carlos García Pierna from Madrid, sixth, and Jorge Pastor from Alicante, seventh, round off a good performance by the Foundation’s team.

As expected, the Puerto de Mijares was fundamental in the evolution of the stage and the race. A long, steady, very large climb. On the ramps of the Colossus of Avila, Froiz played his cards, catapulting Martinez to the head of the race from a group of thirteen units in which Garcia Pierna and Pastor rolled. Both would go on the attack in the final part of the ascent, as well as in the terrain prior to the finish line, but without being able to open a gap. In the finish line, seventh, Garcia Pierna would arrive with him until this Sunday leader 34 seconds from the winner, within a group of pursuers. Pastor, ninth, I’d give in 1:10.

Rafa Diaz, director: “Saturday was a day not to lose options for the general classification, but four cyclists left and in the end the general classification ended up coming out of them. The race is being considered today as a bit conservative, moving the card in different places both in Mijares and in the final stages of the race. There was no fortune. But it is true that in general there was a lot of sifting. We’re all quite happy, we’ve all come from a technical pit stop and it’s not always easy to resume the competition after a break. Jorge and Carlos are in good shape so we need to smooth things over a little bit and that will probably win us the race”.

“Saturday was a tough stage, with a first class port of departure, at four o’clock in the afternoon, with lots of sunshine. It all blew up on the way out. Carlos Garcia and I were able to get into the escape of the strongest Carlos Garcia and me. In the end, we missed a little bit in the last port, where we missed four runners who put in a little time,” recalled Pastor on Saturday.

(automatic translation, sorry for mistakes)