Miguel Domínguez saves the huge sieve that makes the descent of Cieza

Important differences in the start of the Vuelta al Besaya after the passage through the Collado de Cieza in the last fifteen kilometres of the day. Eleven riders, including Miguel Domínguez from Salamanca representing the youth structure of the Contador Foundation, were present in the last kilometres to dispute the first victory and achieve the first yellow jersey. Belgian Jasper Schoofs (Acrog) was first in San Felices de Buelna, with Domínguez in fourth place.

On the descent of Cieza and its subsequent terrain, the leading group was formed with Miguel Domínguez riding with Adrià Pericas (Europa Tadesan), Dani Tenorio (GSsport), Adrià Regada (Tot Net), Pablo Torres (Sanse), Pablo Lospitao (Vino-Electromercantil), Rafa Martínez and Markel Beloki (MMR), Aless De Bock, Jasper Schoofs and Gibbe Staes (Acrog). A leading group that would achieve a substantial advantage over the chasing group, almost a minute and a half: the fight for the general classification of the Cantabrian round is concentrated for the moment in these eleven names.

For the team led by Gorka Beloki, the day was not free of misfortunes in the form of breakdowns (with Gerard Cano and Sergio Calvo as protagonists) and crashes. Álvar Martín was the worst affected. The rider from Aranda de Duero suffered a crash in the middle of the race in which he suffered a heavy blow to his side and helmet and finally had to withdraw from the race.

“Gerard and I were at the back of the group that finished the race in Cieza. I had time to pass the fifth in the first few corners, which were easy. In the last, tighter corners, we were finally cut off. Gerard couldn’t pass further ahead because of pure bad luck. But well, it goes on”, says Domínguez. And it continues with a stage starting and finishing in Boo de Piélagos that includes the climbs to Hijas and the novelty of Castillo Pedroso, better known as El Portillón, with four and a half kilometres over 6%.