14 Feb SCOTT CALABANDIDA IN THE MEDITERRANEAN EPIC
The first race in which the five ISB Sport ambassadors competed together ended with Mantecón as the best placed Spaniard with a creditable thirteenth place.
The Mediterranean Epic was organised in Oropesa del Mar, Castellón, from 9 to 12 February. A race not suitable for all audiences as the fast and technical trails stood out. This UCI calendar race is divided into 4 stages.
The first, which was held on Thursday, with start and finish in Oropesa, consisted of 29km with 600 metres of positive height gain. Sergio managed to finish very close to the top 10 followed by Guerrilla, Jose Mari, Pablo and Miquel.
The second one of 80km and 2,150 of positive difference in altitude started and finished in Castellón. A stage with many trails and trials and a more marathon distance. The group was once again led by Mantecón. Miquel had a very good stage and managed to climb more than 20 positions. On the other hand, Guerrilla had to abandon due to a strong flu.
Oropesa once again welcomed the third stage for a real mountain marathon of more than 100km. This stage was divided into several sections and started with 12km parallel to the coast. After passing through the town of Cabanes, the ISB Sport ambassadors descended to the coast along a 6km long path called “Senda dels Treballadors”. To finish, a spectacular descent with 10km of fast track to the final stretch. Sergio showed his drive again, finishing in 13th position. Jose Mari and Pablo managed to keep their positions in the general classification and Miquel had to abandon the competition due to back problems.
The last stage of 52 km and 1,150 of positive difference in altitude, was divided into 3 segments. The first, with a climb to the Oropesa radar that linked with the ascent to the Juvellús and the descent of the “Machacamazos”. The second segment, with the constant ascent to the second top and the descent of “Cuarteró”, a long and technical trialera. To finish, a last descent to the shore of Playa de la Concha where the finish line was. Jose Mari, despite the great effort he made, was unable to finish due to the pain he was carrying from a fall in the previous race.
It was a very tough race both physically and mentally in which Sergio Mantecón achieved the best result of a Spanish rider in the race, finishing the overall in 13th place. A very meritorious position considering the problems he had with his finger. The other four ISB Sport ambassadors gave their all but several problems prevented them from performing in good conditions. Once again the ISB Sport bearings have been tested in a very tough test such as the Mediterranean Epic.
