Felipe Orts and Txell Figueras win again to secure their leadership in the Škoda Super Stage

In the queen stage of this edition, the two riders have returned to achieve the stage victory, strengthening their leadership in the general classification

Felipe Orts (Vila Joiosa Neteo) and Txell Figueras (Cannondale ISB Sport Team) continue in top form in La Rioja Bike Race presented by Pirelli 2024, repeating stage victory and making it clear that they are the top favorites to win the overall classification.

After starting yesterday with an individual time trial, the race continued today with the Škoda Super Stage, which presented a route of about 68 km and 1,500 meters of elevation gain, starting and finishing at the Palacio de los Deportes de Logroño.

The peloton started the route at 09:30 hours, and from there faced the first climb of the day, slightly shortened by the organization to ensure the safety of cyclists due to the forecast of rain.

In the men's elite, it was on the first climb where the first differences were made, crowning a group of about 10 riders. Felipe Orts (Vila Joiosa Neteo) and Martí Arán (RR Bikers Club) were the ones who escaped on a downhill, reaching the finish line to play for the win in the sprint, where Orts was the fastest to repeat victory. In third position came Axel Badia (IronTech Tecnic Mendiz Ambisist).

"A very tough course. I expected more mud because it rained a lot last night. In any case, on the first climb we already made a difference. At the top there was a group of about 10 riders, and on the descents we started to attack each other, and in the end I was able to stand out with Martí Arán, and arrive in the sprint to achieve the victory and extend the lead in the general classification," explained Orts.

"We were both thinking the same thing: to open a gap to ensure the best position in the general classification. We wanted to open up a gap and we didn't skimp on anything, we both pushed until the end and didn't look back at any time. In the sprint we played it safe and I was able to win. It's always good to win and even more so here, but today I cared more about securing the overall than not winning the stage", said Orts.

In the women's category, Txell Figueras repeated her victory after leading the entire stage, beating the second classified, Pilar Fernández (VAS C.D.), by almost 10 minutes, and the third, Cristina Morán (BTT Sport Cangas), by more than 16 minutes.

At the finish, Figueras explained that he would like to achieve the 3 out of 3 in stage victories as last year, but in racing anything can happen. “I was able to make the difference on the first climb and then I didn't push so hard. I looked behind and they weren't coming, something that allowed me to enjoy a lot on the descents", Figueras said.

"The first climb was too long for my taste, but thanks to the fact that it was technical I was able to make a difference. It's true that I suffered a bit at the start, but then I picked up the pace. For tomorrow I would like to go at a slower pace, because today on the climb it is true that I have tightened", Figueras pointed out at the finish line.

Classifications:

S2 Categories

S2 Overall Scratch

General Classification