The Ceratizit Challenge began in 2015 as a one-day race in Madrid. In 2018, a time trial was added and from 2019, three stages were scheduled. However, this year’s race promises to be the toughest of all editions. The race in the northwest of Spain consists of two climbing stages, a climbing time trial towards the Manzaneda ski station and on Sunday a sprint final in Santiago de Compostela. The four-day stage race ends on the day that the Vuelta a España for men also has its conclusion.
Riejanne Markus, who celebrates her 27th birthday on Wednesday, is looking forward to the Spanish stage race. “I’m very much looking forward to it. It will be a very tough race with many altimetres. At the same time it also makes it a very nice challenge to get a good result. I am also looking forward to the time trial. Even though it’s a tough course, and I prefer a slightly flatter time trial, it will be a good final practice for the European Championships.”