Polartec-Kometa U23, expectant before Torredonjimeno
34ª Clasica de Torredonjimeno
Torredonjimeno-Torredonjimeno (174 km)
In Andalusia, another must see event. Present in the Spanish Cup since the creation of the circuit, the Clásica Ciudad de Torredonjimeno, as such is its full name, emerges as another fundamental test in the state amateur field. The circumstances of the recent suspension of the Memorial Valenciaga for security reasons further reinforce both its reputation and the competitive efforts that will be deployed on its demanding orographic proposal. The test in Jaén is by no means easy. Neither is it because of its length, 174 kilometres, nor because of its intermediate route, with two official mountain passes but many more climbs. Climbs which do not score but which do erode the strength and the spirit. The ascents to the Alto de Locubín (1048 m, scoring first category) and the Alto de Valdepeñas (1136 m, second category), within the last 60 kilometers, are crucial to know the identity of the winner in the Avenida de Jaén.
Daniele Cantoni, José Antonio García, Sergio García, Juan Pedro López, Jorge Pastor, Alejandro Regueiro and Alejandro Ropero composites the ‘seven’ with which the Polartec-Kometa comes to Torredonjimeno. “I’m very motivated and looking forward to it”, admits the Sevillian “Juanpe” López; “it’s a race on earth and, from my point of view, it’s the toughest on the calendar. It was a pity the suspension of Valenciaga, because there you could have seen how the rivals were doing and also, you never know, if the general standings had been more in favor or more against them. I’m looking forward to doing very well and enjoying this race. And I hope the rain respects us”.
Rafa Diaz, director: “We are already in the middle of the Spanish Cup and the Clásica de Torredonjimeno is going to be crucial for the development of the general classification because, possibly, we are facing one of the most complicated events of the season next to the Valenciaga Memorial. It is a tough test, with almost 3,000 metres of unevenness, one of the longest, and with a rather “violent” finish, with hard, even well-known ports in the Tour of Spain. I think that, after the suspension of Valenciaga, all the teams are with that uncertainty that how we are. We didn’t come thinking about the general. We keep thinking about the day to day, about going from trial to trial. We will only focus on it if it is within range, because right now there is a lot of Cup and the general is very virtual in the face of the possibility of breakdowns, falls…”.
(automatic translation, sorry for mistakes)
