The snow cancelled stage of last year seemed a life time away when the riders lined up in the picturesque mountain village of Deia, under clear blue skies.
Posted On: 5th February, 2013
The snow cancelled stage of last year seemed a life time away when the riders lined up in the picturesque mountain village of Deia, under clear blue skies. The race route was not so pleasant, a 152.9 kilometre journey through the northern mountain range known as the “tramuntana” with the finish at the Monastery in Lluc.
The first eight kilometres of the stage were uphill, which set the tone for the day. The route featured five mountain passes and very few flat roads and at points would climb to 1000 meters above sea level. After yesterday the riders were keen to put their lessons learned to good use and were much more attentive from the start.
First, Liam was part of a small group that distanced the peloton. As soon as that was caught Brennan counter attacked and went clear with nine other riders that would make the longest breakaway of the race so far. Brennan’s group stayed away over three mountain passes before being finally caught 105km later on the ascent of the penultimate climb, the Col De Soller. Brennan’s long breakaway meant the rest of the team could relax knowing we were represented in the front group and could concentrate on looking after Ian and Liam, making sure they had enough food and drink. It wastes a lot of energy to have to drop back through the entire peloton to get supplies from the team car following the bunch and then reposition yourself again afterwards.
The large peloton of 190 riders and the very narrow twisting roads meant positioning was crucial today. It is impossible to stay near the front all day so The Madison Genesis boys worked tirelessly, repositioning Ian and Liam near the front of the group whenever they drifted too far back. It can be really hard work to get back to front of the group particularly on windy days like today, so having a pacer makes a huge difference.
On the final climb of the day, the relentless 15 km climb of the Puig Major, Quick Step accelerated hard followed by Team Sky. The lead group was rapidly reduced to a very select 19 riders with Ian Bibby looking very comfortable.
With only a couple of kilometres before the top of the final climb four riders went clear and stayed away to the finish. Ian sprinted from the second group to claim a very impressive 10th place on the stage.
“The team rode a fantastic race today, tactically and physically they were literally up there with the best in the world. I am really proud of every one of them as they all contributed with their all to the result today. To put it in perspective what the lads achieved, other than Bibby there was only one other non pro tour rider in the first 35 riders on the stage. It was really good to see 10 riders work so well towards a common goal” Team Manager – Roger Hammond
"I was really proud and thrilled to make it into the move today, and had my favourite day on the bike riding with eight other riders from the pro tour. Very sore legs now!" Brennan Townshend
“It was a great stage for us, everybody rode as a team and did their part which helped us get our first top 10 of the week!” Ian Bibby
Results
Challenge Majorca, day three: Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana, 152.9.km
1. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar in 4-04-17
2. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky
3. Robert Gesink (Ned) Blanco
4. Rui Costa (Spa) Movistar all at st.
5. Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky at 0-51
6. Przemyslaw Niemiec (Pol) Lampre-Merida
7. Bart De Clercq (Bel) Lotto-Belisol
8. Tony Martin (Ger) Omega Pharma-Quick Step
9. Pieter Weening (Ned) Orica-GreenEdge
10. Ian Bibby (GBr) Madison-Genesis all at st.