José Mari Sánchez gets a huge 23rd place in the World Gravel Championship held yesterday in Veneto, Italy. In a very hard-fought and fast race, José Mari always rode in the top 20, very concentrated, fighting hard. After 5 hours, 169 km and 1,900 m of elevation gain, at the last moment he finished in 23rd position, just over fifteen minutes behind the winner. José Mari was the second best-placed Spanish rider in the elite category of this World Championship. It was a very different race to last year’s, with a more selective course and a very technical component, especially at the end.
Mantecón was unable to finish the race due to the problems he had suffered from the crash at Sea Otter. And after riding in the leading group from the start of the race, he had to abandon at kilometre 55.
