Megan Armitage (EF Education-Cannondale) has put in a very strong climbing display in Trofeo Binissalem-Andratx (1.1) in Mallorca today.
Riding just her second race for her new team, the Irish woman was very much to the fore when the already reduced main field was shredded on the final climbs of the 114.3km race.
A select group of about eight riders forged clear on the 3.8km Coll de sa Gamola, the second of two consecutive ascents in the final 30km of the race.
While Armitage slipped off the back of that group a little, she was the first across to it when a regrouping began, putting her among the 10 best on the ascent. Soon after the Irishwoman got back into the group it swelled to about 20.
German rider Katharina Fox (Maxx-Solar Rose Women Racing), who was up the road today for over 100km, was caught with just 4km remaining after Movistar hit the front to bring her back.
It was then the turn of Megan Armitage and her team mate Elizabeth Stannard to take up the pace-setting on the front, stringing out the group in a bid to set up Noemi Rüegg for the victory.
Once Armitage and Stannard had done their bit to keep the pressure on, EF Education-Cannondale’s Letizia Borghesi came to the front, leading out Rüegg, who had already won Trofeo Felanitx-Colònia de Sant Jordi on Saturday.
However, this time around Rüegg got outmuscled by UAE Team ADQ, whose Silvia Persico was leading out Eleonora Gasparrini. When Persico had done her turn she pulled out, getting in the way of Rüegg, enabling Gasparrini to take the win ahead of her.
Armitage got tailed off the front group a little in the final kilometre, finishing the race in 17th and 19 seconds but having shown she is in great condition at start of the new season.
The Irishman was among the best climbers today, and well able to take up on the front after three hours of racing. Her strong performance today follows her season debut on Saturday at Trofeo Felanitx-Colònia de Sant Jordi, where she placed 51st at 13 seconds.
Armitage’s team have enjoyed a very strong start to the season at Challenge Mallorca, with Rüegg winning Trofeo Felanitx-Colònia de Sant Jordi on Saturday in a sprint and Magdeleine Vallieres taking a brilliant solo win on Sunday at Trofeo Palma Femina.
Former Irish champion Imogen Cotter (Hess Cycling Team) was also in action today, placing 63rd at 11:36. She also rode Trofeo Palma Femina on Sunday, finishing 57th at 8:24.
🔴Eleonora Gasparrini wins the victory in Andratx
👏Gigantic APPLAUSE for the combative Mavi García
(@mavi_at), who has given everything#challengemallorcafemenina pic.twitter.com/BEveHwW8nO— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) January 22, 2024
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