The junior team is going for the final stretch of the Copa de España
As the season draws to a close for the junior team, the Copa de España, one of the main competitions, faces its final stretch. Óscar Orts will lead the team being the best classified of the squad in sixth position. Iker Díaz and Iván Loaisa, the next two in the standings respectively, will also take part in the final races in Peñafiel and Benageber.
The junior team returns to the competition after a great Vuelta a Valladolid where the race was practically sentenced in a windy and hilly first day. The squad of eight riders that will travel again to Valladolid will have the great novelty of the debut in competition of Nacho Sánchez after receiving the medical clearance after a difficult year regarding health. Joining Nacho will be Iker Díaz, very regular throughout the season and third in the last race of the tournament. Iván Loaisa, winner of the Valladolid stage race and Miguel Moreira, 12th in the recent Bizkiako itzulia, will also start the race. Óscar Orts will defend his sixth position with the ambition to climb positions in the general classification. Finally, Robinson Rincon, third in the Vuelta a Valladolid, together with two riders with a very solid season, Hugo Pradas and Pablo Leno, will complete an ambitious squad.
The race will cover 125 kilometers, starting in the town of Peñafiel and finishing at its castle, that watches over the town from a hill. The profile of the race will follow the pattern of the races in the area, such as the first stage of the Vuelta a Valladolid mentioned in the previous paragraph. Short climbs, where Castrillo Tejeriego (3rd) and La Yesera (3rd) will stand out, possible wind influence and a top finish at the castle (800m-6,1%) that will end up breaking the bunch to decide the winner of the race and bring the end of the tournament closer.
“We are going to Valladolid to fight for the podium in the Copa de España. It’s a course that suits us well and that has a finish where Óscar Orts can fight for the victory. We are very happy that Nacho will be able to make his debut this weekend. We are very happy for his incorporation after many months”, says Isaac Cantón, director of the junior team.
“I’ve been preparing for this race all July with a lot of excitement because it will be the first race with the team. I haven’t competed since last year due to a heart problem I was diagnosed with during the pre-season. We’ll see how my legs respond, but I’m really looking forward to racing and giving it my all”, explains Nacho Sánchez ahead of his first race with the team.
XIV Trofeo Ayuntamiento de Peñafiel
