Seventh place for David Martín in a Clásica de Torredonjimeno in which the breakaway triumphs
37ª Clásica de Torredonjimeno
Torredonjimeno – Torredonjimeno (165 km)
David Martín from Seville finished seventh this Sunday in the Clásica de Torredonjimeno, third race in the Spanish Cup, in which the Dutch rider Timo de Jong won. De Jong was one of the seventeen riders who at around kilometre 70 formed the great breakaway of the day, the same one in which the U23 structure of the Contador Foundation had up to three riders: the Cantabrian Álvaro García, Vicente Hernaiz from Pucón and the Andalusian José Luis Medina.
Martín and García had already been part of a first movement of ten riders around kilometre 50. But that great breakaway, with many teams represented, opened a gap and made its way to reach the chain of Locubín and Valdepeñas, the decisive part of one of the toughest races on the calendar. It was there that the breakaway was selected. But he also managed to stay at the forefront of the competition.
With fifteen minutes to go, De Jong made his move, while behind him several movements were taking place to neutralise him. One of them, very consistent, was made by Vicente Hernaiz. De Jong would end up holding almost a minute’s margin, while from behind a peloton of about twenty riders was catching the last exponents of the breakaway. In that sprint, Martín finished sixth in the group. Vicente finished 19th, while Fernando Tercero finished 23rd.
David Martín: “The first thing I would like to highlight is the work of the teammates, as always. We have put in some breakaway companions, who have done a great job. Personally, I’m very happy, because despite the mechanical breakdown and the change of bike I was able to get through the two passes and I felt strong in the last part of the race, which was very fast. From the middle of the race onwards it was very fast. In this race we were a real team”.
Álvaro García, Cantabrian rider: “Medina, Vicente and I managed to catch that good break, we quickly opened a gap and in the first big climb the breakaway was quite selected. There we stayed in front of about ten riders, including Vicente and myself. I tried to jump all the breaks to avoid him spending too much, but in the last ten kilometres I had given everything and I tried to get to the finish as best I could. The truth is that I’m very happy to see myself at a good level and above all to be able to help my team-mates at all times”.
Rafa Días Justo, director of the U23 team: “We have run really well, although the feeling that the results can leave is much worse. The image of the team has been better than in other recent races. The key was the breakaway, where we had three riders. The breakaway has been dismembered, but it has sailed to the finish. Vicente was left with the honey on his lips, he was there but very close to the end they ended up catching him from behind. The team was very, very good today”.
