Iván Loaisa leads a breakaway that almost reached the finish line

The team arrived in Peñafiel with Óscar Orts sixth in the overall classification of the Copa de España and with great ambition after the victory in the Vuelta Valladolid. Iván Loaisa was protagonist in a breakaway that almost managed to beat the bunch.

From the first moments of the race the riders of the team were very attentive to the movements to form the breakaway in a day where the breakaway could be dangerous for the peloton. First Pablo Leno tried to break away, but his move was neutralised at around kilometre 50. Shortly after, Iván Loaisa tried it, taking four other riders with him. Behind, Iker Díaz tried to link up from a chasing group, but they were caught by the big group. The leading riders had a great understanding and their advantage reached 2’45”. The peloton accelerated again with their minds set on the high finish at the Peñafiel castle.

One of the escaped riders dropped off and another suffered a mechanical breakdown so that only three riders were in the lead plus two riders who would arrive behind when the peloton was already above the group. The advantage in the last 5 kilometres was 25″ and only Iván Loaisa and another cyclist were still hoping to bring their adventure to a successful conclusion. In the last kilometre and on the final ramps, the breakaway was neutralised.

Óscar Orts was the best cyclist of the team at the finish line in 14th position.

“It was a race with a lot of attacks and we tried to be in the breakaways. There was a group of riders who were favourites and I tried to be there. Cubillas and Álvarez caught us from behind and when I saw that the bunch was close to us, about 10 kilometers from the finish, I decided to attack. With 4 kilometers to go Cubillas caught me and with 300 meters to go the rest of the bunch. After the kilometers of the breakaway, I couldn’t take any more”, summed up Iván Loaisa his adventure in the breakaway of the day in Peñafiel.

Photos: Alimco-Campagnolo Team