Fernando Tercero finishes on the podium of a Vuelta a Salamanca that crowns EOLO-KOMETA as the best team

49ª Vuelta a Salamanca
Stage 3: Doñinos – Salamanca (170 km)

The Brazilian Vinicius Rangel closed his victory in the final overall of the Vuelta a Salamanca by also winning the final stage, a last fraction in which the triumph was a matter of a group of about thirty riders that in turn was selected in the final part. In the streets of Salamanca Javi Serrano finished fifth and eighth was Fernando Tercero. The U23 structure of the Contador Foundation closed its triumph in the overall team victory, always reflecting a great collective work during the three days.

The day’s route was susceptible to offensives at all levels, especially on the Pajares climb. Right from the start, the pace was very lively, with some tension due to the presence of wind. The big group broke away on several occasions throughout the stage and, apart from a breakaway of four riders that was set up with the race entering its most broken zone and that would be neutralised in the last 20 kilometres, that tone was maintained until the end.

Fernando Tercero went on the attack on the climb to Frades de la Sierra looking to generate a different race situation, an attack that the team had been preparing kilometres before, imposing a higher pace at the head of the peloton. The negative note of the day came with the fall suffered by Arnau Gilabert, without major consequences, which caused him to lose three minutes at the finish.

“These last two days have been really tough. On Sunday because of the terrain. And this Monday because of the tension. The wind came up and it wasn’t an easy day, but we were able to save it really well with the team’s performance. On the last climb we wanted to try it, but the rivals were on the wheel very soon and it wasn’t a steep climb to do any real damage”, explains Tercero. A very demanding edition of the Vuelta a Salamanca.