This past Saturday has started one of the most important mountain bike competitions in the world, the Škoda Titan Desert Almeria which runs in the province until next October 10 with more than 400 participants. The start took place this morning from El Toyo in the capital with the participation, among other authorities and sponsors, of the Mayoress of Almería, María del Mar Vázquez; the Vice President of the Provincial Council and Sports Deputy, José Antonio García and the Sports Delegate of the Junta de Andalucía, José Vélez.
The Mayoress of Almería, María del Mar Vázquez, thanked the organisers for «continuing to support our city to fill it with light and colour», while at the same time highlighting the diversity of landscapes offered by the enclave in the race with «mountains and sandy wadis». He also invited the participants to «enjoy the gastronomy, the cultural heritage and the hospitality of Almeria».
For his part, the vice-president and deputy for Sports, José Antonio García, underlined «the great media impact of this competition which reinforces our destination as one of the best places in the world in which to practice outdoor sports at any time of the year».
Along the same lines, the Sports Delegate, José Vélez, pointed out «how the spectacular landscapes of the province have found the perfect union with this competition, considered to be one of the best and toughest mountain bike races in the world».
The first stage
The score between ‘carreteros’ and ‘bikers’ begins with 0 – 1 in favour of the experts in mountain biking. Fran Herrero takes the first stage of this Škoda Titan Desert Almeria and wears the leader’s jersey.
The cyclist from Segovia starts as he did in the last Škoda Titan Desert Morocco, with victory and leadership after the first part of the stage. And he has done so despite the opposition of «the World Tour», as the mountain bike professionals have referred to Luis León Sánchez and Luis Ángel Maté.
This trio, together with Miguel Muñoz, Pau Marzá, Javier Chacón and Miquel Faus, formed the leading group during almost the entire first stage. A route that, especially in its first half, has always run alongside the cape of Gata and its spectacular cliffs.
It wasn’t until the final ramblas, on the way to the finish at El Toyo, that Herrero was able to open up a gap on his competitors. «These guys are really strong», admitted Cannondale rider Vas Arabay in reference to the two stars of the road racing world.
Behind Herrero came Javier Chacón, Luis León Sánchez and Luis Ángel Maté, 20 seconds behind. First day of emotions and first victory for the experts in the mountain discipline, who will still have to withstand three more very tough assaults from the feared ‘carreteros’.
KORTEKAAS, WITH AUTHORITY
In the women’s classification, Tessa Kortekaas was able to make good on her pre-race favouritism. On a tough day, especially due to the heat that was so intense during the entire race, the Dutch rider imposed herself with authority over her rivals.
Four minutes ahead of her immediate pursuer and the other favourite for the overall, Ariadna Ródenas, seems a more than generous income to start the Škoda Titan Desert Almería.
Kortekaas herself admitted yesterday that this route seemed «even harder» than the Škoda Titan Desert Morocco she won just a few months ago. Of course, the first stage seemed to lend even more weight to her statement.
Pushing hard from the start, Cannondale rider Vas Arabay opened up a steady gap on the rest of the peloton. At the arrival at the Vela Blanca pass she was already one minute ahead and extended it to four at the finish. The current leader of the Škoda Titan Desert Almeria dominated uphill, downhill and on the flat.