2022 Challenge Illes Balears-Volta Ciclista a Mallorca (5 x 1.1)

31st edition: January 26-30, 2022

Complete results

Challenge Illes Balears podium history | 2021 edition | 2022 edition

Les Woodland's book Cycling Heroes: The Golden Years is available as an audiobook here. For the print and Kindle eBook versions, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

The Challenge Illes Balears/Ciclista Mallorca has historically been a series of four 1.1 races held in late January-early February on the Balearic Islands in the western Mediterranean sea.

For 2022 there are five races.

While each race is an independent 1.1 ranked competition, until 2010 there was a General Classification for an overall winner as well.

The 2021 edition was postponed to mid-May from its original planned schedule of January 28-31 because of an outbreak of Covid-19.

Race 1: Trofeo Calvia | Race 2: Trofeo Alcúdia
Race 3: Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana | Race 4: Trofeo Pollança-Port d'Andratx | Race 5: Trofeo Playa de Palma

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Sunday, January 30: Race 5, Trofeo Playa de Palma (s'Arenal-Palma), 169.1 km

Arnaud De Lie wins in Palma. Photo: mfpaloumedia

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Weather at the finish city of Palma at 2:30 PM, local time:16C (61F), sunny, with the wind from the southwest at 21 km/hr (13 mph). No rain is forecast.

The race: Here's the report from winner Arnaud De Lie's Lotto-Soudal team.

Lotto Soudal rider Arnaud De Lie has immediately taken his first professional victory on the island on Mallorca. The 19-year-old Belgian neo-pro, who stepped up from the Lotto Soudal Development Team this season, was the fastest at the end of the Trofeo Palma, the closing race of the five-day Challenge Mallorca. During a bunch kick, it was De Lie who launched an impressive sprint and beat the Colombian Juan Sebastián Molano and the Belgian Sasha Weemaes.

The Challenge Mallorca drew to a close today with the Trofeo Palma. On a relatively flat course, the race was announced as one for the fast guys. However, the Coll de Sa Creu, at 35 kilometres from the finish caused some splits in the bunch. Eventually, the gaps remained small, the peloton came together again and a sprint took place in the streets of Palma de Mallorca. It was Lotto Soudal rider Arnaud De Lie who emerged victorious in only his third race as a pro.

“I am lost for words, it is just unbelievable to take my first pro victory during my third race as a professional cyclist”, begins Arnaud De Lie, “The team believed in my chances today. It didn’t cause stress, but I obviously wanted to do the best I could. Thanks to fantastic team work, I reached the summit of the final climb in a perfect position. Afterwards, my teammates rode their hearts out to keep me on the front rows of the bunch. I was also lucky with Michael Schwarzmann at my side, who guided me perfectly during the final kilometres. During the sprint, I chose the right wheels I suppose and I could take my first pro victory.”

After the Trofeo Palma, Arnaud immediately showed his gratitude towards his teammates. “I finished the job in the sprint, but this really is a team victory. My teammates assisted me perfectly in the final, from the run-up to the final climb until the line. I am very grateful for all the work they did today.”

With victories in the Trofeo Tramuntana and Trofeo Palma, Lotto Soudal can look back on a successful start of the season on the island of Mallorca.

Complete results:

169.1 kilometers raced at an average speed of 43.288 km/hr.

1	DE LIE, Arnaud	LOTTO SOUDAL	3hr 54min 23sec
2	MOLANO, Juan S.	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
3	WEEMAES, Sasha	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
4	HOFSTETTER, Hugo	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
5	COLNAGHI, Luca	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
6	MATTHEWS, Michael	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
7	NIZZOLO, Giacomo	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
8	FIORELLI, Filippo	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
9	MOSCHETTI, Matteo	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
10	WALSCHEID, Maximilian	COFIDIS	s.t.
11	PEÑALVER, Manuel	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
12	JONES, Taj	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
13	ALLEGAERT, Piet	COFIDIS	s.t.
14	KRISTOFF, Alexander	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
15	GARCIA, Ivan	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
16	BURCHIO, Federico	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
17	GIRMAY, Biniam	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
18	LOUVEL, Matis	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
19	VENCHIARUTTI, Nicola	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
20	WALLS, Matthew	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
21	PELEGRI, Oscar	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
22	SOTO, Antonio Jesus	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
23	JAIME, Alex	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
24	ACKERMANN, Pascal	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
25	EZQUERRA, Jesus	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
26	BARBIER, Rudy	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
27	ZAMBELLI, Samuele	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
28	HESTERS, Jules	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
29	LIEPINS, Emils	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
30	PASQUALON, Andrea	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	@ 8sec
31	PETIT, Adrien	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
32	MARENGO, Umberto	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
33	SCHUERMANS, Jens	BEAT CYCLING	0:12
34	GOIKOETXEA, Peio	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
35	PONOMAR, Andrii	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
36	BIERMANS, Jenthe	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
37	PETERS, Nans	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
38	BOUTS, Jordy	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
39	PRADES, Eduard	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
40	WILLEMS, Thimo	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
41	MAS, Luis	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
42	MAZZUCCO, Fabio	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
43	GOLDSTEIN, Omer	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
44	BORRA, Gilles	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
45	GARCIA, Raul	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
46	HOYOS, Juan Diego	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
47	TORRES, Edwin Yair	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
48	HOLLMANN, Juri	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
49	CARRETTA, Ricardo	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
50	VERWILST, Aaron	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
51	PELLAUD, Simon	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
52	BALLESTEROS, Miguel A.	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
53	BATTAGLIN, Enrico	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
54	HÄNNINEN, Jaakko	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
55	LONARDI, Giovanni	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
56	HOLLENSTEIN, Reto	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
57	GIBBONS, Ryan	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
58	ETXEBERRIA, Asier	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
59	JOSEPH, Thomas	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
60	MODOLO, Sacha	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
61	ALBANESE, Vincenzo	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
62	AMEZQUETA, Julen	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
63	MAESTRI, Mirco	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
64	VAN HOECKE, Gijs	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
65	PARRA, Jose F.	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
66	MCNULTY, Brandon	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
67	TORRES, Albert	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
68	SERRANO, Gonzalo	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
69	HOYOS, Daniel David	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	0:23
70	ESTELRICH, Mateu	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
71	UMBA, Abner S.	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
72	MURGUIALDAY, Jokin	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
73	PEREZ-LANDA., Eduardo	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
74	BAKELANTS, Jan	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
75	MADRAZO, Angel	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
76	ARRIETA, Igor	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
77	APARICIO, Mario	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
78	RAVANELLI, Simone	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
79	BAIS, Mattia	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
80	RODRIGUES, André	COFIDIS	s.t.
81	SANCHEZ, Pelayo	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
82	VLASOV, Aleksandr	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
83	POLITT, Nils	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
84	BARTA, William	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
85	ZANDRI, Francesco	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
86	GABBURO, Davide	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
87	VAN MELSEN, Kevin	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
88	BENEDETTI, Cesare	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
89	SCHWARZMANN, Michael	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
90	HALLER, Marco	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
91	HOOLE, Daan	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
92	ZOCCARATO, Samuele	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
93	DENS, Tuur	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
94	VAUQUELIN, Kevin	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
95	PÖSTLBERGER, Lukas	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
96	FINE, Eddy	COFIDIS	s.t.
97	GUGLIELMI, Simon	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
98	BRAET, Vito	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
99	ARDILA, Andres C.	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
100	OWSIAN, Lukasz	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
101	MARTIN, Sergio R.	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	0:40
102	MOSCA, Jacopo	TREK-SEGAFREDO	0:42
103	HARDY, Romain	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	0:44
104	POLANC, Jan	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	0:47
105	LUCCA, Riccardo	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	0:49
106	BENNASSAR, Joan Marti	MANUELA FUNDACION	0:50
107	VILLELLA, Davide	COFIDIS	0:53
108	GESCHKE, Simon	COFIDIS	0:57
109	BERWICK, Sebastian	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
110	ISASA, Xabier	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	1:16
111	SOLER, Marc	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
112	VANBILSEN, Kenneth	COFIDIS	s.t.
113	VERSCHAEVE, Viktor	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
114	VANHOUCKE, Harm	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
115	GHYS, Robbe	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	1:38
116	COLLEONI, Kevin	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	2:12
117	HOWSON, Damien	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	2:16
118	HOLMES, Matthew	LOTTO SOUDAL	2:58
119	KRON, Andreas	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
120	CANELLAS, Xavi	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	3:01
121	SMITH, Dion	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	3:35
122	FRETIN, Milan	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
123	ISHIHARA, Yuki	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	4:13
124	VANDEVELDE, Yentl	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
125	BOONS, Jente	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
126	VAN DYCK, Jarne	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
127	DISSEL, Bram	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
128	GROSU, Eduard-michael	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
129	HAVIK, Yoeri	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
130	MILTIADIS, Andreas	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
131	AZPARREN, Xabier M.	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
132	IRIBAR, Unai	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
133	ROTA, Raul	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
134	ETXEBERRIA, Josu	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
135	CANTON, Isaac	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
136	OKAMIKA, Ander	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
137	ARVANITOU, Nikiforos	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	6:59
138	IRIZAR, Julen	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	8:02
139	JURADO, Marcos	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
140	ARMSTRONG, Thomas	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
141	SWEENY, Harrison	LOTTO SOUDAL	9:42
142	DECKERS, Angel	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
143	MARTORELL, Erik	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
144	MESA, Santiago	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
145	WANDAHL, Frederik	BORA-HANSGROHE	10:55
146	PATIES, Eric	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
147	HOPPEZAK, Vincent	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
148	VIEGAS, Daniel	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
149	RIVI, Samuele	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
150	ROSA, Diego	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
151	SEVILLA, Diego P.	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.

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Saturday, January 29: Race 4, Trofeo Pollança-Andratx (Pollança-Port d'Andratx), 170.1 km

Almost 42 years old, Alejandro Valverde shows the youngsters how to race. Gomez Sport photo

Les Woodland's book Dirty Feet: How the Great Unwashed Created the Tour de France is available as an audiobook here. For the print and Kindle eBook versions, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Weather at the finish city of Port d'Andratx at 2:30 PM, local time: 16C (50F), sunny, with the wind from the north at 16 km/hr (10 mph). No rain is forecast.

The race: Here's the report from winner Alejandro Valverde's Team Movistar.

The best possible way to crown a splendid first week of racing in 2022 for Alejandro Valverde and the Movistar Team came on Saturday at the Trofeo Pollença – Port d’Andratx, the fourth race of the Challenge Mallorca, with ‘Bala’ winning on the tough slopes of the Mon Port hill to open the Telefónica-backed squad’s account of this season.

Fully aware of the strong chances by Alejandro -already 6th, on Wednesday, and 2nd, on Friday, their two 2022 appearances to date- over a finish with 2km at 8% average gradient, the roster here directed by Patxi Vila worked for Valverde from start to finish. The early pacing from Matteo Jorgenson and Lluís Mas and the efforts from Serrano -who sustained a crash, with no big consequences, near the end- and Rubio, going after every move before the decisive climb, were completed by an excellent Enric Mas and Iván Sosa. While the Spaniard forced other teams to chase with some moves before the climb, both Enric and Iván would drive the pace on the final slopes for ‘Bala’ to do what he loves: finishing things off.

Outsprinting Brandon McNulty (UAD, 2nd) and Alexander Vlasov (BOH, 3rd), Alejandro notched up the 131st victory of his career and got the Movistar Team to just four wins short of 1,000 with their professional squads since 1980. A success achieved almost two decades after his pro victory, which confirms – if there was any sort of doubt about it – he will retire on top of his game

Alejandro Valverde:
“The whole team was excellent today. We tried to keep the race always as much under control as possible, and the team worked perfectly well. We had to tackle this Andratx climb at a strong pace to try and drop those faster legs still into the group. We succeeded at distancing Matthews, the strongest sprinter in the group, but I saw him trying to come back with 250, 300 meters to go, and that’s where I launched my sprint before he bridged back – and I could manage to take it.

“To me, every race will be a tribute already. I’m really thankful to the organisers for the recognition they gave me this morning at the start – I hope I was able to pay them back and thank them enough with this win. It’s the best way to bid farewell to this race, with two podiums, one victory – and now I’m already thinking about Valencia, the next one!

“More than age, for me the key thing is that it’s already 20 years for me at the highest level in the pro peloton. It’s something so difficult to achieve, both physically and especially on the psychological standpoint, I’m really surprised to continue doing well. When I was younger, I stated that I thought I wouldn’t be in the peloton when I reached 34 – now I’m turning 42 in April, and I’m still racing, and winning.

“I want to offer this victory to two really important men. The first one is Egan Bernal. All of my support goes out to him, hoping that his recovery goes well and we can see him doing fine as soon as possible. And then, to Juan Carlos Unzué. His example of strength, optimism, fighting spirit over the last few months has been invaluable, to everyone in this team particularly. A big hug goes to both, hoping that we can see each other soon.”

Complete results:

170.1 kilometers raced at an average speed of 40.050 km/hr.

1	VALVERDE, Alejandro	MOVISTAR TEAM	4hr 14min 50sec
2	MCNULTY, Brandon	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
3	VLASOV, Aleksandr	BORA-HANSGROHE	@ 3sec
4	MATTHEWS, Michael	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	0:06
5	GALL, Felix	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	0:10
6	CLARKE, Simon	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
7	GESBERT, Elie	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
8	WELLENS, Tim	LOTTO SOUDAL	0:13
9	GOOSSENS, Kobe	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	0:19
10	GESCHKE, Simon	COFIDIS	0:28
11	SOSA, Ivan R.	MOVISTAR TEAM	0:29
12	MAS, Enric	MOVISTAR TEAM	0:32
13	BIZKARRA, Mikel	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	0:35
14	BARGUIL, Warren	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	0:39
15	VILLELLA, Davide	COFIDIS	s.t.
16	BUCHMANN, Emanuel	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
17	RUBIO, Einer Augusto	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
18	PETERS, Nans	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	0:47
19	GIRMAY, Biniam	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
20	PARRA, Jose F.	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
21	FLOREZ, Miguel E.	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	0:52
22	MARTIN, Gotzon	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	0:56
23	ZANA, Filippo	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
24	PICCOLI, James	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
25	KRON, Andreas	LOTTO SOUDAL	0:58
26	PELLAUD, Simon	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
27	MATE, Luis A.	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	1:02
28	SEPULVEDA, Eduardo	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	1:09
29	GUGLIELMI, Simon	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	1:28
30	OWSIAN, Lukasz	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	1:36
31	BERRADE, Urko	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	1:39
32	BAKELANTS, Jan	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	1:51
33	CARRETERO, Hector	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	1:53
34	ALBANESE, Vincenzo	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	2:02
35	VLIEGEN, Loïc	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	2:09
36	PARET PEINTRE, Valentin	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	2:39
37	HOLMES, Matthew	LOTTO SOUDAL	3:24
38	VANHOUCKE, Harm	LOTTO SOUDAL	4:18
39	WANDAHL, Frederik	BORA-HANSGROHE	4:43
40	KONRAD, Patrick	BORA-HANSGROHE	4:43
41	SOLER, Marc	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	6:20
42	HERRADA, Jose	COFIDIS	6:29
43	RAVANELLI, Simone	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
44	MARTIN, Sergio R.	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
45	SCHUERMANS, Jens	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
46	SANCHEZ, Pelayo	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
47	HÄNNINEN, Jaakko	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
48	ARRIETA, Igor	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
49	BAIS, Davide	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
50	GAVAZZI, Francesco	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
51	NIEVE, Mikel	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	6:38
52	TIBERI, Antonio	TREK-SEGAFREDO	6:44
53	GOLDSTEIN, Omer	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
54	ARAIZ, Sergio	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
55	JENSEN, Christopher	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
56	AMEZQUETA, Julen	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	6:53
57	AGIRRE, Jon	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	6:58
58	GHYS, Robbe	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
59	DELAPLACE, Anthony	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	7:11
60	LASTRA, Jonathan	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
61	HERRADA, Jesus	COFIDIS	7:18
62	MOSCA, Jacopo	TREK-SEGAFREDO	8:25
63	ARDILA, Andres C.	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	7:59
64	SOTO, Antonio Jesus	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	8:40
65	MARENGO, Umberto	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	9:59
66	MAS, Luis G.	MOVISTAR TEAM	11:20
67	SEVILLA, Diego P.	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
68	POLITT, Nils	BORA-HANSGROHE	11:28
69	UMBA, Abner S.	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	11:56
70	HOWSON, Damien	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	12:16
71	HUYS, Laurens	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	12:50
72	PONSAERTS, Thibaut	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	17:28
73	ESTELRICH, Mateu	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
74	BALLESTEROS, Miguel A.	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
75	FRETIN, Milan	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
76	VAN SCHOOR, Matthew	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
77	PALZER, Anton	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
78	HOYOS, Daniel David	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
79	BONNEU, Kamiel	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
80	ZURITA, Ricardo	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
81	PIRA, Albeiro Yesid	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
82	PEÁK, Barnabás	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
83	MERTENS, Julian	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
84	RODRIGUES, André	COFIDIS	s.t.
85	CHAMPION, Thomas	COFIDIS	s.t.
86	BOUTS, Jordy	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
87	MALECKI, Kamil	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
88	COVILI, Luca	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
89	LUHRS, Luis-joe	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
90	VERWILST, Aaron	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
91	GINESTRA, Lorenzo	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
92	ROSA, Diego	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
93	ROPERO, Alejandro	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
94	HOLLENSTEIN, Reto	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
95	GABBURO, Davide	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
96	OKAMIKA, Ander	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
97	MILLER, Barry	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
98	GURRUTXAGA, Gaizka	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
99	ARMSTRONG, Thomas	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
100	MORENO, Adria	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
101	MILTIADIS, Andreas	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
102	ARMEE, Sander	COFIDIS	s.t.
103	VAN MELSEN, Kevin	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	17:33
104	BALLARIN, Iker	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	17:35
105	ZARDINI, Edoardo	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
106	VAN PRAET, Robbe	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
107	VERSCHAEVE, Viktor	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
108	SAVER, Kasper	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	17:43
109	APERS, Ruben	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
110	SCHLEGEL, Michal	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
111	APARICIO, Mario	BURGOS-BH	17:44
112	MORENO, Ivan	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
113	BAUER, Jack	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
114	POLANC, Jan	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	17:48
115	JURADO, Marcos	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	17:56
116	JOSEPH, Thomas	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	18:03
117	KAMP, Alexander	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
118	VAN HOECKE, Gijs	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
119	BATTAGLIN, Enrico	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	18:07
120	MADRAZO, Angel	BURGOS-BH	18:18
121	MURGUIALDAY, Jokin	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	18:20
122	ISASA, Xabier	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
123	AZPARREN, Xabier M.	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
124	SWEENY, Harrison	LOTTO SOUDAL	18:23
125	TORRES, Edwin Yair	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	18:35
126	HOYOS, Juan Diego	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	18:38
127	COLLEONI, Kevin	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	18:49
128	RIVI, Samuele	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
129	JORGENSON, Matteo	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
130	DAEMEN, Stijn	BEAT CYCLING	19:02
131	ROTA, Raul	MANUELA FUNDACION	19:19
132	DE PESTEL, Sander	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	19:30

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Friday, January 28: Race 3:Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana (Lloseta-Lloseta), 158.9 km

Tim Wellens beats Alejandro Valverde to the line.

Plato's dialogue Apology is available as an audiobook here. For the Kindle eBook version, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

The race: Here's the report from winner Tim Wellens' Lotto-Soudal team.

Tim Wellens already proved 3 times that the Trofeo Tramuntana suits him perfectly. Therefore the 30-year-old hill specialist showed up at the starting line again this year with great confidence. A 6-man breakaway left early in the race. The Coll Femenis, Coll Orient and Coll Seller made it a tough day and the break was reeled in before the Puig Major, the most difficult climb of the day. There the peloton was smashed into pieces. A group of 7 riders reached the top first, among them was Tim Wellens for Lotto Soudal.

In the downhill there were different attacks, but in the end it all came down to a sprint with 7. Tim Wellens came out of the last corner first and could hold off Alejandro Valverde in the final stretch. After 3 solo victories, the Lotto Soudal rider adds a sprint victory in the Trofeo Tramuntana to his palmares.

“On the Puig Major the pace was very high, but I managed to hold on”, Tim Wellens said right after the finish line. “Afterwards, there were some attacks, but nobody could get away. Because I knew the finish, I knew I had to be first or second after the final turn. I came out first and managed to hold it to the finishline.”

After a fourth place during the first day of this Mallorca Challenge, Tim Wellens skipped the Trofeo Alcudia on Thursday, to get a win on Friday at the Trofeo Tramuntana. “I have felt very good since the moment we started racing here. During training, it might not have been that great, but after I had pinned those first numbers, I have felt very good.”

Complete results:

158.9 kilometers raced at an average speed of 37.753 km/hr

1	WELLENS, Tim	LOTTO SOUDAL	4hr 12min 32sec
2	VALVERDE, Alejandro	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
3	CLARKE, Simon	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
4	MCNULTY, Brandon	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
5	GOOSSENS, Kobe	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
6	BUCHMANN, Emanuel	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
7	MAS, Enric	MOVISTAR TEAM	@ 14sec
8	BARGUIL, Warren	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
9	ZWIEHOFF, Ben	BORA-HANSGROHE	0:19
10	GALL, Felix	AG2R CITROEN	1:52
11	HOOLE, Daan	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
12	GIBBONS, Ryan	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
13	VILLELLA, Davide	COFIDIS	s.t.
14	WANDAHL, Frederik	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
15	ALBANESE, Vincenzo	EOLO-KOMETA	s.t.
16	BAKELANTS, Jan	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
17	MARTIN, Gotzon	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	1:55
18	COLLEONI, Kevin	BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
19	HERRADA, Jesus	COFIDIS	s.t.
20	JORGENSON, Matteo	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
21	GARCIA, Raul	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
22	ZANA, Filippo	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
23	PETERS, Nans	AG2R CITROEN	s.t.
24	LASTRA, Jonathan	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
25	GESCHKE, Simon	COFIDIS	s.t.
26	PICCOLI, James	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	1:58
27	BERRADE, Urko	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
28	SCHLEGEL, Michal	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
29	GESBERT, Elie	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
30	ZOCCARATO, Samuele	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
31	ARDILA, Andres C.	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	2:01
32	ETXEBERRIA, Asier	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
33	ARRIETA, Igor	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	2:03
34	BIZKARRA, Mikel	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	2:14
35	UMBA, Abner S.	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
36	BERWICK, Sebastian	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	2:22
37	HERMANS, Ben	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	2:36
38	VANHOUCKE, Harm	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
39	SOSA, Ivan R.	MOVISTAR TEAM	2:49
40	MORENO, Adria	BURGOS-BH	2:56
41	JENSEN, Christopher	BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	4:11
42	ROSA, Diego	EOLO-KOMETA	7:07
43	HÄNNINEN, Jaakko	AG2R CITROEN	s.t.
44	MÜHLBERGER, Gregor	MOVISTAR TEAM	7:35
45	COVILI, Luca	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	7:47
46	AGIRRE, Jon	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
47	ARMSTRONG, Thomas	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	8:50
48	NIV, Guy	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
49	OKAMIKA, Ander	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
50	COVI, Alessandro	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	8:53
51	BAIS, Mattia	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
52	BAIS, Davide	EOLO-KOMETA	s.t.
53	DELAPLACE, Anthony	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
54	GAVAZZI, Francesco	EOLO-KOMETA	s.t.
55	GARCIA, Sergio	EOLO-KOMETA	s.t.
56	MATE, Luis A.	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
57	PONSAERTS, Thibaut	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	11:04
58	APERS, Ruben	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	11:10
59	EL GOUZI, Omar	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
60	ESTELRICH, Mateu	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	11:48
61	SAVER, Kasper	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
62	DEBAELE, Jorre	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
63	TIBERI, Antonio	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
64	PONOMAR, Andrii	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
65	SCHUERMANS, Jens	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
66	ZARDINI, Edoardo	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
67	PASQUALON, Andrea	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
68	OWSIAN, Lukasz	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
69	VERWILST, Aaron	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
70	VAUQUELIN, Kevin	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
71	BENEDETTI, Cesare	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
72	BORTOLUZZI, Giovanni	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
73	DAEMEN, Stijn	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
74	HOYOS, Daniel David	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
75	JIMENEZ, Daniel	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
76	MADRAZO, Angel	BURGOS-BH	11:53
77	HERRADA, Jose	COFIDIS	s.t.
78	PARRA, Jose F.	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
79	ARMEE, Sander	COFIDIS	s.t.
80	NIEVE, Mikel	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
81	IRIBAR, Unai	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
82	SERRANO, Gonzalo	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
83	HUYS, Laurens	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
84	MURGUIALDAY, Jokin	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
85	VERSCHAEVE, Viktor	LOTTO SOUDAL	14:17
86	PALZER, Anton	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
87	BIERMANS, Jenthe	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
88	HOLLENSTEIN, Reto	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
89	CHAMPION, Thomas	COFIDIS	s.t.
90	TORRES, Albert	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
91	FINE, Eddy	COFIDIS	s.t.
92	DE PESTEL, Sander	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
93	SEPULVEDA, Eduardo	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
94	BURCHIO, Federico	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
95	LIEPINS, Emils	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
96	VAN SCHOOR, Matthew	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
97	GOIKOETXEA, Peio	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
98	MOSCA, Jacopo	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
99	MORENO, Ivan	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
100	PRADES, Eduard	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
101	VISCONTI, Giovanni	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
102	IRIZAR, Julen	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
103	ROPERO, Alejandro	EOLO-KOMETA	s.t.
104	CARRETERO, Hector	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
105	BONNEU, Kamiel	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
106	POLANC, Jan	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
107	RAVANELLI, Simone	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
108	PARET PEINTRE, Valentin	AG2R CITROEN	14:27
109	NAESEN, Lawrence	AG2R CITROEN	14:30
110	PETIT, Adrien	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	19:23
111	BORRA, Gilles	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
112	ROTA, Raul	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
113	GASPARINI, Alessio	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
114	VIEGAS, Daniel	EOLO-KOMETA	s.t.
115	KERCKHAERT, Jochem	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
116	BISOLTI, Alessandro	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
117	DE LIE, Arnaud	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
118	ALONSO, Pablo	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
119	PEREZ-LANDA., Eduardo	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
120	BURGER, Sven	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
121	MERTENS, Julian	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
122	VAN MELSEN, Kevin	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
123	PASE, Christian Danilo	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
124	RICCI, Riccardo	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
125	VAN HOECKE, Gijs	AG2R CITROEN	s.t.
126	HOYOS, Juan Diego	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
127	HARDY, Romain	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
128	HOWSON, Damien	BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
129	BAUER, Jack	BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
130	SMITH, Dion	BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
131	KAMP, Alexander	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
132	GINESTRA, Lorenzo	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
133	LUCCA, Riccardo	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
134	MOSCHETTI, Matteo	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
135	DOMINGUES, Marcelino	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
136	MILLER, Barry	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
137	MILTIADIS, Andreas	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
138	BRAET, Vito	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.

 

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Thursday, January 27: Race 2, Trofeo Alcúdia (Port d'Alcúdia -Port d'Alcúdia), 173.2 km

Biniam Girmay gets his season going in style.

Les Woodland's book Tour of Flanders: The Inside Story - The rocky roads of the Ronde van Vlaanderen is available as an audiobook here. For the print and Kindle eBook versions, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

The race: Here's the report from winner Biniam Girmay's Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert team:

This Thursday, Eritrean Biniam Girmay offered the first success of the season for Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux, dominating a sprint of strong men on the Trofeo Alcudia (1.1, 27/01), the second one-day race of the Mallorca Challenge. Girmay, 21, concluded the formidable teamwork of the men led by Aike Visbeek and Pieter Vanspeybrouck, who took responsibility for the race from the first kilometers.

The Belgian World Team thus participated in the chase behind the morning breakaway of three riders, controlling a gap which peaked at almost five minutes. The difficult climb of Coll de Sa Batalla (8.7 km at 5%), located 50 kilometers from the finish, represented the main threat for a sprint finish. Surrounded by his teammates, Girmay managed to climb to the top with a heavily skimmed peloton, accompanied by Loïc Vliegen.

Despite late attempts to avoid the sprint, it’s a small peloton that shared the honors in Port d’Alcudia, in the northeast of the island. The vice-world champion U23 Girmay came up from the left, thanks to a powerful effort, to reach the line ahead of his opponents and offer the first victory of 2022 for the team on the second day of racing.

Tomorrow, the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana will cross the eponymous mountain range on a particularly demanding 158 kilometer course, which features notably the Puig Major (14.6 km at 6%). Jan Bakelants, Kobe Goossens, Laurens Huys, Alexander Kristoff, Andrea Pasqualon and Kévin van Melsen will represent the team at the start in Lloseta.

“I am overwhelmed by this victory and the euphoria of all members of the team! It's really nice to start the season like this and to continue our fantastic winning spirit from last fall. I started the year with a lot of confidence, but it's fantastic that I was able to beat some of the world's best sprinters here in my second day of racing. Before that I had to survive the long climb in the final. I really suffered, but thanks to the help of my teammates with the positioning I was able to start the sprint with good legs. I am grateful for their support throughout the race, we are a really close group. And I also want to thank the staff. I like the courses and pleasant weather conditions here in Mallorca, it is the very first time I visit this beautiful island. I hope to keep the momentum going in my next races of the Mallorca Challenge this Saturday and Sunday!” - Biniam Girmay Hailu

“We can be proud of how the team performed today. We took our responsibilities, because with Biniam Girmay and Alexander Kristoff we had two solid options, each for a specific scenario. Either a sprint with a reduced group or with a larger group. Thanks to Biniam's victory, the hard work put in this winter is immediately rewarded. The performances confirm the good impression we already had during the training camp. The riders we expected on from the start of the season are showing up already here in Mallorca. This victory, so early in the season, gives a lot of confidence to the whole team. We can thus pursue our strategy with serenity and keep building.” - Aike Visbeek (Performance Manager)

Complete results:

173.2 kilometers raced at an average speed of 45.026 km/hr

1	GIRMAY, Biniam	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	3hr 50min 48sec
2	GIBBONS, Ryan	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
3	NIZZOLO, Giacomo	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
4	GARCIA, Ivan	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
5	LOUVEL, Matis	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
6	MATTHEWS, Michael James	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
7	ALLEGAERT, Piet	COFIDIS	s.t.
8	ACKERMANN, Pascal	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
9	EZQUERRA, Jesus	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
10	NAESEN, Lawrence	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
11	SOTO, Antonio Jesus	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
12	BALLESTEROS, Miguel A.	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
13	JAIME, Alex	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
14	MARTIN, Gotzon	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
15	TORRES, Albert	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
16	HALLER, Marco	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
17	KAMP, Alexander	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
18	GUGLIELMI, Simon	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
19	MAESTRI, Mirco	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
20	PRADES, Eduard	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
21	BRAET, Vito	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
22	APERS, Ruben	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
23	GARCIA, Raul	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
24	MAS, Luis G.	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
25	PETERS, Nans	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
26	DE PESTEL, Sander	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
27	PELLAUD, Simon	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
28	BIERMANS, Jenthe	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
29	KRON, Andreas	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
30	BAIS, Mattia	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
31	POLITT, Nils	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
32	SEVILLA, Diego P.	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
33	GALL, Felix	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
34	SCHLEGEL, Michal	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
35	MATE, Luis A.	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
36	EDMONDSON, Alexander	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
37	VAUQUELIN, Kevin	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
38	VLIEGEN, Loïc	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
39	FLOREZ, Miguel E.	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
40	RODRIGUES, André	COFIDIS	s.t.
41	SMITH, Dion	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
42	ZWIEHOFF, Ben	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
43	LAENGEN, Vegard S.	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
44	HOLLMANN, Juri	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
45	FINE, Eddy	COFIDIS	s.t.
46	HOLLENSTEIN, Reto	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
47	SUTER, Joel	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	@ 9sec
48	AGIRRE, Jon	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
49	LAZKANO, Oier	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
50	MORENO, Ivan	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
51	MARTIN, Sergio R.	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
52	HÄNNINEN, Jaakko	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
53	ISASA, Xabier	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
54	ARMEE, Sander	COFIDIS	s.t.
55	SCHUERMANS, Jens	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
56	PALZER, Anton	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
57	COVI, Alessandro	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
58	GAVAZZI, Francesco	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
59	SOSA, Ivan R.	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
60	PARRA, Jose F.	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
61	BARTA, William	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
62	HOWSON, Damien	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
63	HARDY, Romain	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
64	PARET PEINTRE, Valentin	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
65	UIJTDEBROEKS, Cian	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
66	NIEVE, Mikel	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
67	BIZKARRA, Mikel	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	23
68	COLLEONI, Kevin	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
69	HERRADA, Jose	COFIDIS	45
70	CARRETERO, Hector	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
71	DE LIE, Arnaud	LOTTO SOUDAL	2:40
72	WALSCHEID, Maximilian	COFIDIS	s.t.
73	GROSU, Eduard-michael	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
74	FRETIN, Milan	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
75	CANELLAS, Xavi	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
76	LIEPINS, Emils	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
77	VENCHIARUTTI, Nicola	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
78	WILLEMS, Thimo	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
79	ESTELRICH, Mateu	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
80	SAVER, Kasper	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
81	VAN PRAET, Robbe	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
82	BOUTS, Jordy	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
83	ALONSO, Pablo	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
84	OLIVEIRA, Ivo	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
85	BARBIER, Rudy	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
86	JIMENEZ, Daniel	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
87	BATTAGLIN, Enrico	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
88	BENNASSAR, Joan Marti	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
89	PONOMAR, Andrii	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
90	PEÁK, Barnabás	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
91	MARENGO, Umberto	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
92	GOIKOETXEA, Peio	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
93	BALLARIN, Iker	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
94	MAZZUCCO, Fabio	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
95	CANTON, Isaac	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
96	DENS, Tuur	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
97	LONARDI, Giovanni	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
98	MILTIADIS, Andreas	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
99	VIEGAS, Daniel	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
100	ZANDRI, Francesco	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
101	JOSEPH, Thomas	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
102	GARCIA, Sergio	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
103	PELEGRI, Oscar	BURGOS-BH	2:43
104	ARMSTRONG, Thomas	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
105	GABBURO, Davide	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
106	JANSSEN, Lucas	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
107	COLOMBO, Raul	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
108	JURADO, Marcos	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
109	PETIT, Adrien	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
110	PASQUALON, Andrea	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
111	KRISTOFF, Alexander	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
112	MOSCHETTI, Matteo	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
113	MADRAZO, Angel	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
114	APARICIO, Mario	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
115	ARAIZ, Sergio	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
116	PEÑALVER, Manuel	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
117	MALECKI, Kamil	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
118	VERSCHAEVE, Viktor	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
119	MORENO, Adria	BURGOS-BH	2:47
120	HOLMES, Matthew	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
121	ABERASTURI, Jon	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
122	MOSCA, Jacopo	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
123	MOLANO, Juan S.	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
124	HOYOS, Daniel David	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
125	HOYOS, Juan Diego	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
126	VAN HOECKE, Gijs	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
127	LUCCA, Riccardo	WORK SERVICE VITALCARE VEGA	s.t.
128	COLNAGHI, Luca	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
129	BENEDETTI, Cesare	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
130	MILLER, Barry	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
131	PIRA, Albeiro Yesid	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
132	NIV, Guy	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
133	RIVI, Samuele	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
134	BERWICK, Sebastian	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	2:55
135	MODOLO, Sacha	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
136	BAUER, Jack	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
137	SWEENY, Harrison	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
138	FIORELLI, Filippo	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	2:57
139	SANTAROMITA, Alessandro	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.

 

---

Wednesday, January 26: Race 1, Trofeo Calvia (Camp de Mar-Magaluf), 154.7 km

Brandon McNulty wins the first European road race of the season.

Les Woodland's book Tour of Flanders: The Inside Story - The rocky roads of the Ronde van Vlaanderen is available as an audiobook here. For the print and Kindle eBook versions, just click on the Amazon link on the right.

Weather at the finish city of Magaluf at 3:50 PM, local time: 14C (58F), sunny, with the wind from the southwest at 10 km/hr (6 mph). No rain is forecast.

The race: Here's the report from winner Brandon McNulty's UAE Team Emirates.

UAE Team Emirates had a perfect start to the 2022 campaign as Brandon McNulty took a strong solo win at the Trofeo Calvia (Peguera to Palmanova, 154.7km), while teammate Joel Suter also climbed the podium for second.

McNulty broke clear solo on the Coll den Claret and stayed out front solo for 65km. Cresting the final climb of the day at -13km with 1’18’’, the Arizona native kept the pressure on to cross the line alone with his arms aloft for an important victory to start the year.

The UAE team had the advantage of placing new signing Joel Suter in the chasing group to disrupt any organised chase and thus setting the stage for McNulty to triumph. Suter impressed on his very first race for the team to take second just behind his teammate.

The team came into the race as defending champions, with Ryan Gibbons taking the win in the same race in 2021.

This win marks McNulty’s first victory in Emirati colours since joining in 2020.

McNulty: “I’m super happy: it’s a great way to start the year. It was a tough day out there but it was good for me and also for my teammate Joel who came second which was perfect for us. It was up and down terrain all day with no real flat roads so as the group got smaller I was able to establish a gap. I knew if I could hold on it would be tough to chase me down with the twisty, undulating roads. I put the attack in and was able to hold on so I’m very pleased.”

Tomorrow the racing at the Mallorca Challenge continues with the Trofeo Alcudia (173.2km).

Complete results:

154.7 kilometers raced at an average speed of 39.063 km/hr

1	MCNULTY, Brandon	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	3hr 57min 37sec
2	SUTER, Joel	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	@ 1min 17sec
3	ALBANESE, Vincenzo	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
4	WELLENS, Tim	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
5	CLARKE, Simon	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
6	VALVERDE, Alejandro	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
7	GOOSSENS, Kobe	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
8	OWSIAN, Lukasz	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
9	BUCHMANN, Emanuel	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
10	ZWIEHOFF, Ben	BORA-HANSGROHE	2:54
11	MATTHEWS, Michael	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	2:55
12	BARGUIL, Warren	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
13	KRON, Andreas	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
14	PARET PEINTRE, Aurélien	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
15	GARCIA, Raul	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
16	HUYS, Laurens	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
17	LAENGEN, Vegard S.	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
18	VILLELLA, Davide	COFIDIS	s.t.
19	VANHOUCKE, Harm	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
20	HÄNNINEN, Jaakko	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
21	HERMANS, Ben	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
22	GESBERT, Elie	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
23	ZANA, Filippo	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
24	MORENO, Adria	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
25	RUBIO, Einer Augusto	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
26	PICCOLI, James	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
27	UIJTDEBROEKS, Cian	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
28	MÜHLBERGER, Gregor	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
29	JORGENSON, Matteo	MOVISTAR TEAM	2:59
30	GESCHKE, Simon	COFIDIS	s.t.
31	COLLEONI, Kevin	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	7:31
32	SEPULVEDA, Eduardo	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
33	GIBBONS, Ryan	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
34	HERRADA, Jose	COFIDIS	s.t.
35	MARTIN, Gotzon	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
36	ZOCCARATO, Samuele	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	9:06
37	BAIS, Mattia	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
38	MARENGO, Umberto	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
39	MAESTRI, Mirco	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
40	ZARDINI, Edoardo	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
41	POLITT, Nils	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
42	MADRAZO, Angel	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
43	VLIEGEN, Loïc	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
44	GIRMAY, Biniam	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
45	HOOLE, Daan	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
46	LAZKANO, Oier	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
47	KONRAD, Patrick	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
48	BAIS, Davide	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
49	GAVAZZI, Francesco	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
50	ROSA, Diego	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
51	TIBERI, Antonio	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
52	MURGUIALDAY, Jokin	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	10:43
53	APERS, Ruben	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	12:10
54	BOUTS, Jordy	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
55	DAEMEN, Stijn	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
56	PEÁK, Barnabás	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
57	PONSAERTS, Thibaut	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
58	NAESEN, Lawrence	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
59	ESTELRICH, Mateu	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
60	SCHUERMANS, Jens	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
61	LUHRS, Luis-joe	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
62	JURADO, Marcos	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
63	ARMSTRONG, Thomas	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
64	BIERMANS, Jenthe	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
65	DE PESTEL, Sander	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
66	PELLAUD, Simon	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
67	UMBA, Abner S.	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
68	BENEDETTI, Cesare	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
69	GROSU, Eduard-michael	DRONE HOPPER-AND.GIOCATTOLI	s.t.
70	COVILI, Luca	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
71	ALONSO, Pablo	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
72	FLOREZ, Miguel E.	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
73	EZQUERRA, Jesus	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
74	SANCHEZ, Pelayo	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
75	JOSEPH, Thomas	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
76	ETXEBERRIA, Asier	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
77	GARCIA, Sergio	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
78	BATTAGLIN, Enrico	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
79	FIORELLI, Filippo	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
80	EL GOUZI, Omar	BARDIANI CSF FAIZANE'	s.t.
81	ARRIETA, Igor	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
82	HOLMES, Matthew	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
83	COVI, Alessandro	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
84	MOSCA, Jacopo	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
85	VAN HOECKE, Gijs	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
86	MERTENS, Julian	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
87	ARDILA, Andres C.	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
88	FINE, Eddy	COFIDIS	s.t.
89	CHAMPION, Thomas	COFIDIS	s.t.
90	HOYOS, Daniel David	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	s.t.
91	ROPERO, Alejandro	EOLO-KOMETA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
92	ARAIZ, Sergio	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
93	ARMEE, Sander	COFIDIS	s.t.
94	RUBIO, Diego	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
95	OKAMIKA, Ander	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
96	PARET, Valentin	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
97	PETERS, Nans	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
98	LUCCA, Riccardo	WORK SERVICE-MARCHIOL-DYNATEK	s.t.
99	AGIRRE, Jon	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
100	BERRADE, Urko	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
101	SCHLEGEL, Michal	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
102	GINESTRA, Lorenzo	WORK SERVICE-MARCHIOL-DYNATEK	s.t.
103	BARTA, William	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
104	DOMINGUES, Marcelino A.	BURGOS-BH	s.t.
105	BAKELANTS, Jan	INTERMARCHÉ-WANTY-GOBERT	s.t.
106	DELAPLACE, Anthony	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
107	GUGLIELMI, Simon	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
108	AZPARREN, Xabier M.	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
109	IRIZAR, Julen	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
110	MARTIN, Sergio R.	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
111	BIZKARRA, Mikel	EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI	s.t.
112	OLIVEIRA, Ivo	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
113	GARCIA, Ivan	MOVISTAR TEAM	s.t.
114	LASTRA, Jonathan	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
115	AMEZQUETA, Julen	CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA	s.t.
116	HOWSON, Damien	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
117	LOUVEL, Matis	TEAM ARKEA-SAMSIC	s.t.
118	HERRADA, Jesus	COFIDIS	s.t.
119	CARRETERO, Hector	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
120	BAUER, Jack	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
121	SMITH, Dion	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
122	GALL, Felix	AG2R CITROEN TEAM	s.t.
123	SWEENY, Harrison	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
124	BALLESTEROS, Miguel A.	ELECTRO HIPER EUROPA-CALDAS	17:30
125	WILLEMS, Thimo	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
126	VAN PRAET, Robbe	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
127	BURGER, Sven	BEAT CYCLING	s.t.
128	BENNASSAR, Joan Marti	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
129	EDMONDSON, Alexander	TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO	s.t.
130	FRETIN, Milan	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.
131	CANTON, Isaac	MANUELA FUNDACION	s.t.
132	BORRA, Gilles	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
133	DEBAELE, Jorre	MINERVA CYCLING TEAM	s.t.
134	GOLDSTEIN, Omer	ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH	s.t.
135	ZANDRI, Francesco	WORK SERVICE-MARCHIOL-DYNATEK a	s.t.
136	MALECKI, Kamil	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
137	MILTIADIS, Andreas	JAVA KIWI ATLANTICO	s.t.
138	JAIME, Alex	EQUIPO KERN PHARMA	s.t.
139	DENS, Tuur	SPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE	s.t.