The riders of the UCI Rio Miera-Cantabria Deporte team gave their all in the Spanish elite and sub-23 Road Cycling Championships in Mallorca and came very close to winning a medal. Ania Horcajada in the sub-23 time trial was 10 seconds away from bronze and Carolina Esteban in the sub-23 road race was fourth.
Time Trial
In the under 23 category, Ania Horcajada and Carolina Esteban competed. Ania did a great test setting some good records and having medal chances until the end. She finished in fifth place less than 10 seconds off the podium. As far as Carolina is concerned, it was the first long time trial that she had done and she accumulated experience for future races.
Isabel Martín, in the elite category, was measured against many World Tour cyclists with one more point so that she was noticed during the test. She was ninth after struggling a lot throughout the 21 kilometres of the route.
Road Race
Eva Anguela entered the first breakaway of the online test and made it clear that the team was going for it. The race moved a lot from the beginning and with the passing of the kilometres, it became fragmented. Isabel Martín, Carolina Esteban and Susana Pérez entered the first great court. Isa managed to enter the good breakaway that was fighting for second and third place, as Mavi García escaped early and secured the final victory. On the last climb, she slipped a bit and couldn’t enter the final sprint. In the end, Isabel Martín was ninth in the elite category after a great job.
Regarding the sub-23 category, Susana had to retire due to heat stroke and Carolina Esteban fought to get a medal, finishing at the gates after finishing in fourth position in the arrival.
The team’s Sports Director, Roberto San Emeterio, commented that “we leave the championships with bittersweet feelings. We came to the championships being very optimistic and the results have not reflected our good work here, even knowing that the level is getting higher and higher. In the time trial, Isabel Martín did good numbers but there are World Tour runners who have a higher pace and that is also noticeable in this test. Regarding the sub-23 category, Ania continues with her progression, she is improving, and she was 10 seconds away from the medal. It was noticed to Carolina that it was the first time that she had done such a long time trial”. Regarding the online test, she added that “three-quarters of the race went very well. The runners have been active since the start, controlling different groups and being protagonists. Isa, Susana Pérez and Carolina Esteban have entered the first important cut. Until the entrance to Palma de Mallorca, they have been fighting for podium options. In sub-23 at the end, fourth place for Carolina Esteban and Susana had to withdraw due to heat stroke. Isa in elite was always ahead in the top positions fighting for everything and got a top 10 in her category “.