The second stage of the Majorca challenge started in the market town of Campos under clear blue skies.
Posted On: 4th February, 2013
The second stage of the Majorca challenge started in the market town of Campos under clear blue skies. Despite the four 4th category climbs en route to the finish in one of the most southerly towns on the island, Ses Salines, it was the wind that was to play the biggsst role today. With a strong westerly wind blowing, the final circuit with its exposed four kilometer section of crosswind did in fact play a crucial role.
Very soon after the start a group of six riders went clear, eventually building a maximum lead of seven mins 34 seconds. All of the Madison Genesis riders were in the main peloton comfortably, sheltering from the wind. Eventually Team Sky and Lampre instigated a concerted chase which saw the lead groups advantage tumble. With 15 kilometres to go, the group was caught and the inevitable bunch sprint loomed once again with all of the Madison Genesis team present in the front group. However the final stretch of cross wind splintered the peloton and from a select group Leigh Howard (Orica Greenedge) was able to sprint to victory in front of a consistently finishing Tyler Farrar in second.
The Madison Genesis Team rode very well but learned a very important lesson. A race where everything is under control one minute can be chaos the next.
“Overall I was very pleased with the attitude of the riders today. The wind made the conditions very complicated towards the end, exaggerating the need for experience. I'm sure the guys have learned a lot today which they can put to good use in the future.” Team Manager - Roger Hammond
Results
Challenge Majorca day two: Trofeo Campos, 167.1km
1. Leigh Howard (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge in 3-56-24
2. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Sharp
3. Jose Joaqiun Rojas (Spa) Movistar
4. Egoitz Garcia (Spa) Cofidis
5. Enrique Unzue (Spa) Movistar
6. Francisco Jose Ventoso (Spa) Movistar
7. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Merdia
8. Kenny de Haes (Bel) Lotto-Belisol
9. Yoeri Havik (Ned) Cyclingteam de Rijke-Shaks
10. Ben Swift (Gbr) Team Sky all at st.
Other Brits
89. Alex Dowsett (GBr) Movistar at 2-43
101. Alex Peters (GBr) Madison-Genesis at 3-13
102. Sebastian Bayliss (GBr) Madison-Genesis
108. Jack Pullar (Gbr) Madison-Genesis
148. Liam Holohan (GBr) Madison-Genesis
151. Ian Bibby (GBr) Madison-Genesis
152. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Team Sky
153. Josh Edmondson (GBr) Team Sky
154. Brennan Townshend (GBr) Madison-Genesis all at st.
171. Dean Downing (GBr) Madison-Genesis at 4-15
176. Chris Snook (GBr) Madison-Genesis at 9-06