The final stage of this year’s Challenge Majorca was about as far from a procession as we could get. Once again, albeit after a flatter start in the northern coastal town of Alcudia, the route headed straight for the highest point of the island, the Puig
Posted On: 6th February, 2013
The final stage of this year’s Challenge Majorca was about as far from a procession as we could get. Once again, albeit after a flatter start in the northern coastal town of Alcudia, the route headed straight for the highest point of the island, the Puig Major.
A howling wind made what should have been a relatively easy approach to the first climb absolute chaos and carnage. Everybody wanted to ride in the front, trying to ensure they were not too far back when the bunch split in the wind, causing several crashes. Brennan - who rode so well yesterday- was a victim and fell heavily after only 30 km. Despite losing quite a lot of skin and swollen hand he got back on the bike and chased back on. By the first climb of the day at 55 kilometres, the bunch had split into several groups. Madison Genesis where well represented in the front group with eight of the team there.
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The plan was to make sure that Ian and Liam were once again looked after as the decisive moments of the race were the four long climbs during the stage. Movistar decided to attack the third climb of the day, the very sinuous climb of Col De Soller (the same Col as yesterday in the other direction) once again creating very select front group with both Liam and Ian present. On the descent, the group split further and they both found themselves in a group stranded just of the front group. They chased really hard and probably would have made it back to the front on the final climb of the day but a freak shower made the roads treacherous.
The damp, moss -overed roads caused numerous crashes, the majority of which momentarily blocked the narrow roads to all traffic. Liam, unable to avoid a rider on the ground in front of him also crashed, losing a lot of skin. The long fast run in to the finish meant there was no chance in getting back to the front before the finish in Playa De Muro
Brennan was taken to hospital and was kept in overnight for observation, but despite being a little sore was in good spirits and is expected to make a speedy recovery.
"After the huge success of yesterday it just goes to show how a little bit of bad luck can change everything. The guys rode their hearts out today but it felt like if it could go wrong it it did. The great thing to see was they never gave up trying though." Team Manager - Roger Hammond
Results
Challenge Majorca day four: Trofeo Alcudia-Can Picaforrt-Playa de Muro, 169.8km
1. Leigh Howard (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge in 4-15-29
2. Maarten Wynants (Bel) Blanco
3. Davide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre-Merida
4. Egoitz Garcia (Esp) Cofidis
5. Jose Joaquin Rojas (Spa) Movistar
6. Angelo Tulikl (Fra) Europcar
7. Gianni Meersman (Bel) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
8. Robbie Hunter (RSA) Garmin-Sharp
9. Sergio Henao (Col) Sky
10. Rigoberto Uran (Col) Sky all at st.
Brits
13. Alex Dowsett (GBr) Movistar at 0-03
50. Liam Holohan (GBr) Madison-Genesis at 5-19
56. Ian Bibby (GBr) Madison-Genesis at st.
63. Alex Peters (GBr) Madison-Genesis at 8-25
91. Jonathan Tiernan-Locke (GBr) Sky at st.