LIDL-TREK dominates in Orihuela and Mathias Vacek takes the lead
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The capital of the Vega Baja region hosted a thrilling team time trial that opened the Vuelta a la Comunitat Valenciana.
Orihuela, February 5, 2025 – The Lidl-Trek team dominated the first stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2025, a 34.3-kilometer team time trial starting and finishing in Orihuela. The American squad set a time of 39 minutes and 19 seconds, leaving no chance for the other teams and awarding the first leader’s jersey to Czech Mathias Vacek, who crossed the finish line first.
Team Jayco AlUla finished second, 46 seconds behind, while UAE Team Emirates XRG and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe completed the podium, 50 seconds off the pace. INEOS Grenadiers finished 51 seconds behind, with Movistar Team closing the top six at 1:06. From the start, Lidl-Trek displayed a strong pace and made the most of their power on the flat terrain, with Jonathan Milan and Simone Consonni playing a key role in the victory.
“It’s an incredible feeling. We didn’t expect to win by such a margin; it’s been a crazy stage. This is something very special for us, a great success for the team, and now it’s time to enjoy the victory,” said Mathias Vacek, the first leader of the general classification. The Czech rider, who donned the yellow jersey after crossing the finish line first, explained that the team had not planned who would take the lead at the end: “It wasn’t decided who would cross first, but now I will wear the leader’s jersey. I want to thank my teammates for their effort.”
Vacek also confirmed his intention to defend the leader’s jersey in the coming stages: “I will try to keep the lead for the rest of the race. We’ll see how I feel, but I will give my all to hold onto the jersey.”
Mountain challenge in the second stage
The second stage of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2025, taking place this Thursday, features a challenging 166-kilometer route between La Nucía and Benifato, culminating in the unprecedented Alto de Partegat, a first-category climb with a tough final 4-kilometer ascent.
The stage includes three mountain passes: the Coll de Rates, the Alto de Benimantell, and the decisive Alto de Partegat, making its debut in the competition. This stage is expected to be crucial, with potential shakeups in the general classification depending on the teams’ strategies. The race will start at 12:30 PM from Estadi Olímpic Camilo Cano in La Nucía.