Matej Mohoric imposes his law on the frantic descent towards Simat de la Valldigna
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The Slovenian rider from Bahrain waited for the right moment, as he passed through the town of Barx, to launch an attack to which nobody in the peloton was able to respond.
Simat de la Valldigna. 1 February 2024. The second stage of the 75th VCV – Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana Gran Premi Banc Sabadell has made it clear that, if not the best, Matej Mohoric is one of the best ‘bajadores’ of the international peloton. The Slovenian rider from Bahrain has given a real exhibition in the descent of Pla de Corrals and, passing through the town of Barx, has launched an attack impossible to counteract by anyone among all the members of the peloton. A well-deserved prize after a first failed attempt in stage 1, which leaves him second overall and Bahrain leader of the team classification.
The morning started with the usual signing control, which took place in the Plaça Pont del Riu in Canals. Hundreds of people, including many children, came to see their cycling idols up close. Yesterday’s protagonists, Alessandro Tonelli, Oier Lazkano or Gorka Sorarrain have been the ones who have received more support among the fans, who have also given special affection to the four Valencian cyclists in the race.
Once the signature control had been completed, the race got underway. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for this second stage was attended by the mayor of Canals, Nacho Mira; the president of the Valencia Provincial Council, Vicente Mompó; the director general of sports of the Generalitat Valenciana, Luis Cervera; the sub-delegate of the Government in Valencia, José Rodríguez Jurado; the deputy mayor of Canals, Vicente Tafaner; the deputy general manager and eastern territorial director of Banco Sabadell, Fernando Canós; and the general manager of the 75 VCV, Ángel Casero.
Knowing what happened on stage 1, the peloton took good note and never let the time with the breakaway of the day exceed 3 minutes. Txomin Juaristi (EUS), Eugenio Sánchez (EKP), Sinuhé Fernández (BBH), Joan Meens (BWB), José María García (IBA) and Gorka Sorarrain (CJR) made up the day’s breakaway. The latter, wearing the leader of the mountains jersey, managed to score points in the first two climbs of the day, the Alto de Benigànim and La Drova, and finally dropped before reaching the last climb of the day, the Alto de Pla de Corrals.
Knowing what happened on stage 1, the peloton took good note and never let the time with the breakaway of the day exceed 3 minutes. Txomin Juaristi (EUS), Eugenio Sánchez (EKP), Sinuhé Fernández (BBH), Joan Meens (BWB), José María García (IBA) and Gorka Sorarrain (CJR) made up the day’s breakaway. The latter, wearing the leader of the mountains jersey, managed to score points in the first two climbs of the day, the Alto de Benigànim and La Drova, and finally dropped before reaching the last climb of the day, the Alto de Pla de Corrals.
This Friday, the third stage of this 75th VCV – Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, between San Vicente del Raspeig and Orihuela; the only one of the five stages of this edition of the VCV that will presumably have a sprint finish. Italian Jonathan Milan will be the big favourite to win.