Fran Herrero and Tessa Kortekaas began to mark the land

Nope Morocco We weren’t in summer yet, but it was hot Almeria This Saturday he is the star of the inaugural stage of Skoda Titan Desert Almería. A first day where the cyclists have to complete a circular route that starts and ends in El Toyo, 101 km long and with a gradient of 1,147 meters, passing emblematic places in the area such as Cabo de Gata. Despite the distance, in the men’s category everything was decided in the final sprint with victory for Fran Herrero. The outcome was different in the women’s category where Tessa Kortekaas was unbeatable from the start. In general it is not easy for anyone considering that at the end of the stage 30 degrees. Yes, October 7th.

Herrero took a breath

The entire first stage had an initial group of seven cyclists led by Miguel Muñoz and Fran Herrero. They also include road cycling legends Luis León Sánchez or Luis Ángel Maté, that held to the end against the best of mountain bikes, showing that they will not lack the legs to compete to the end.

Everything was very crowded until the last boulevard at the finish line, Herrero started to pull without looking back and left everyone stuck. Crossed the finish line with 23s margin compared to Javier Chacón, surprise today as an ‘outsider’ finishing in second position. “At first it seemed like I would have a bit of a hard time but I had strength in the two boulevards at the end. At first I was able to break the group but they joined forces again and in the end pushed to the end and that was the key when I achieved the victory,” declared the Segovian.

Third to cross the finish line was Luis León, who debuted this way with a very good taste in his mouth on Titan. Of course, despite only missing the 24s, he didn’t mind the general classification: “They quickly put me in my place. There came a technical part that I wasn’t used to. Mountain biking is a new type of cycling for me and “The mentality hasn’t changed. It’s time to enjoy those days.”

After the Murcian, Luis Ángel Maté arrived who the day before the premiere said he was not at his peak physically but on the other hand the first sensations were better: “I arrived with a little doubt, a lot of caution, but I I’m comfortable and I got to the front so I’m pretty happy.”

Kortekaas made it clear who was in charge

In the female category Tessa Kortekaas removed all doubt about who was the big favorite. After winning in Morocco on her debut, all eyes were on the Dutchwoman and she more than delivered. On the first day he made the change, completed the route in 4 hours and 16 minutes (just over half an hour compared to Fran), set off Ariadna Rodenashis great rival in the general classification, 3 minutes and 57s. Pilar Fernández was further away in third place on the podium. In total he lost more than 16 minutes.

“It was harder than expected because there were two very technical climbs, but “Addition to the heat made things more complicated.”commented Cannondale rider Vas Arabay upon reaching the finish line. Despite the difficulties he experienced, from the start, on the climb to Cabo de Gata, he set the tone and made the final sprint to widen the gap even more.

Mónica Calderón, who started with Tessa as the great favorite to be the leader of the team, had no option to keep up with her teammate and also gave up more than 16 minutes.