Carlos Rodriguez rises to the top of the Spanish Junior Cup
IV Trofeu 15 d´abril
La Canonja-La Canonja (111,5 km)
Carlos Rodríguez signed a very outstanding second position for the Polartec-Kometa in the Trofeu 15 d´abril of La Canonja, the second race of the Spanish Junior Cup, and climbed to the provisional leadership of the circuit backed by the second place he also won in the inaugural event, in Villarreal, behind his teammate Alex Martín.
Rodríguez, who recently finished sixth in the Paris-Roubaix Juniors rankings in competition with the Spanish national team, was involved in the reduced sprint of 29 riders who ended up playing the victory on the Avenida Alcalde Marian Fonts i Ciurana in the town next to Tarragona. A finish in which the Cantabrian Sergio Trueba won the race and where José González completed the podium.
The Almuñecar rider had already been the protagonist before. First, by quickly redoing a couple of falls, one of which even forced him to change bikes. Then, for moving the race up to Portell, the hardest climb of the day, with Martin. Finally, subject to a tight marking, to be able to open a small gap shortly after crowning the great port of the day and manage to leave in solitary in search of Josu Etxebarria, who was at the head of the race, in solitary, after having been integrated in a breakaway.
Rodriguez would reach Etxebarria on the long descent of La Musara, the third col fo the day, and together they would throw themselves towards La Canonja with a minute’s margin over a small group of about twenty boys. That adventure would end within the last twenty kilometers, gobbled up by the group that would end up playing the sprint success despite not a few escape attempts.
Guillermo Gutiérrez, Team Manager: “As we expected, it was a very nervous race. Initially it has been very slow, due to the extreme vigilance of the former in the general classification. It was the first port that made the selection. There a group of 25 units was formed, among which we had three runners, among them the leader Álex Martín. Ahead of the finish line, knowing Carlos’ options, we tried to control in the final part. At the last corner Carlos was a little late in the race, but he was still able to sign the second place. Alex, for his part, finished seventh, so Carlos takes over from him at the front of the general classification. It’s a shame we couldn’t keep the team lead, but this fight goes on to the end”.
Carlos Rodriguez, new leader of the Spanish Cup. “It’s been a weird race. With the rain there is always tension, braking…. And when people are nervous, there are lurches, strange movements…. At first, I went to the ground, but I quickly caught the pack. A little further on, in another braking, I was knocked down from behind. On the second climb, the long one, everything has become a little clearer. Ahead of him was an escaped group. Alex and I were trying to get through. We tried it, but they close the gap, so we waited at the summit and just as I was passing the top I escaped. On the way down I managed to catch Josu, but from behind they were pulling very hard and they ended up catching us. Although there were many attacks in the last few kilometres, they practically neutralized each other. And finally the sprint was reached”.
The Spanish Junior Cup rests until next May. The third event of the competition is one of the most classic on the Spanish scene, the Llobregat Cycling Tour, whose 37th edition will take place on 27 May.
(automatic translation, sorry for mistakes)
