Miguel Moreira close to the victory in Estella
The Navarrese town of Estella took over from Villatuerta and hosted the Clásica Navarra. The race was very fast despite a stoppage due to a lack of ambulances after a crash. Hugo Pradas was present in a breakaway and the great attitude of the team allowed Miguel Moreira to be in the group that fought for the victory. The Portuguese rider was second in the end.
The race started at a great pace towards the first climb of the day. A fall in the peloton meant that the race had to be neutralised due to a lack of ambulances, which had to assist the riders. Once the situation was resolved, the race was resumed normally and continued at high speed. Midway through the race Hugo Pradas broke away from the bunch with three other riders. He came second in the special sprint at Murieta and first at the intermediate sprint in Estella and third at the Alto de Grocín (2nd) before being neutralized by the pack.
Once the peloton was united, a breakaway of eight riders was formed, including Iker Díaz and Oscar Orts. On the climb to the Alto de Lezaún (2nd) Miguel Moreira jumped out of the group along with other riders and they reached the head of the race. The leading group was selected and only five riders remained with an advantage before the decisive Alto de Eraul (2nd). The breakaway was broken by an attack by a rider and Moreira had to chase with another rider. They could not catch the leading rider and finally in the sprint he managed to overtake his breakaway companion and finish in second place.
Hugo Pradas won the intermediate sprints prize thanks to the breakaway in which he managed to be and the team won the prize for the best squad of the day.
“We need to finish it off. I think we had five or six second places this season. They have won again the best team award and these data reflect that they are riding well,” said Isaac Canton, director of the junior team at the end of the race. “Carlos Moreno had to change bikes because of a chain failure and Pablo Leno and Iker Díaz have done a great job,” he added.
Miguel Moreira was the protagonist in a very active Clásica Navarra for the team, but without reward: “I’m happy and a little sad at the same time for the second place, because victory is always what you want. When we were on the ascent to a mountain pass, there was a breakaway in front where Óscar was and a rider from the bunch attacked and I counterattacked to join the head of the race so that the team had a numerical advantage. When I reached the group, I saw that the main group stopped and I set the pace, and so I went with other riders, gaining an advantage. On the penultimate climb, a misreading of the race meant that I let the winner get a little ahead. The feeling was good and this result shows that everything is going in the right direction. As no result is achieved alone, all the team work in the bunch was fundamental to be able to fight for the victory, and I want to thank the whole team for all their support, from my teammates to Isaac, Javi and Alex”, said the young Portuguese rider.
