The Semana Internacional de Ciclismo Masters is an annual event, comprising of an individual time trial and road race. There are two age categories – one for 50-60 year olds and one for 30-40 year olds. It’s not clear to me why there is an age gap in between. The event HQ is Pro Cycle Hire in Port de Pollença.
Individual Time Trial
The individual time trial was held yesterday evening. After riding Sa Calobra, I spectated from the HQ with a couple of beers in the sunshine. Riders were released from eldest to youngest. It has to be said that the younger riders were far more serious – some even sporting ex-pro bikes.
The course was 7.218km in length, and the winners of the yellow jerseys were riders 26 (09m:59) and 51 (09m:31). It’s not clear to me why there’s two sets of riders on the younger podium.
Road Race
I felt tired today after consuming quite a few beers last night. Luckily I didn’t have a plan today as such – except to see the road race from a couple of vantage points. The course differed by age category, with the younger riders completing two additional loops to Alcúdia.
From the start I cycled down the bay and managed to catch the start of the vets race. The riders were just leaving the neutralised zone and starting the race proper. Due to some faffing, I didn’t manage to take any photos of this. This was the only time I saw the vets today.
The younger class were starting at 11am, so I had a lot more time to position myself. I worked out that I’d be able to see these riders at Crestatx (18km), Campanet (60km) and the finish line (102km) as long as I didn’t hang about.
Distance: 35.0 miles / 56.3 km
Elevation: 971 feet / 2,457 m
Colls: None
Crestatx
As the riders came in to view, it was clear that there was already a one rider (no. 22) breakaway.
Campanet
By Campanet, the early leader had been caught and passed by rider no. 116.
Finish
Amazingly, rider 116 managed to hold on, and was the winner of the road race. For some reason, he didn’t do very well in the time trial (2nd to last) so did not win overall. That honour went to rider no. 51 (winner of the time trial).
Overall I’ve had a most enjoyable day. The quality of the event itself was really impressive and Pro Cycle Hire was a great HQ.
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