Gabriele Raccagni second and new leader of the Copa de España

The second round of the Copa de España in Alcantarilla started at 9:30 in the morning with 171 kilometres and five mountain passes accompanied by a strong wind for the riders. After a long range attack, Raccagni was able to fight for the win with another rider. He finally got the second place and became the new leader of Copa de España.

The first breakaway of the day with only one rider ahead managed to take the points in the dispute for the mountain classification thanks to an advantage over the bunch that exceed 3 minutes. In the intermediate zone of the race, with the first climbs and the wind making its presence felt, the breakaway of the solo rider would come to an end. It was after the descent of La Perdíz (3rd) that a new quartet formed at the front of the race. The strong wind caused the bunch to break up on the terrain leading to the finish in Alcantarilla. Gabriele Raccagni and Luca Bagnara were then in a group that would hunt down the leading quartet.

With just over 40 kilometres to go, Raccagni accelerated into the leading group with Lev Gonov. As they watched each other from behind, the main bunch caught up the Bagnara’s group and it was just the two riders who led the race with a two-minute gap to the bunch.

Despite the insistent attacks from the group the two leaders played for the victory with Raccagni finishing in second position which was enough for him to be the new leader of the U23 Copa de España.

Gabriele Raccagni, happy after his performance, commented: “with 50 kilometres to go we broke away from the group we were in and we did a time trial to the finish. I’m happy with the result and with being the new leader”.