26 Mar SCOTT CALA BANDIDA EN CAPE EPIC
Our couples from the Scott Cala Bandida team, ambassadors of ISB Sport Cycling, have given us an exciting Cape Epic until the last stage. Mantecón has starred in scandalous stages, and together with Pawel Bernas they managed to enter P6 in the final stage. For her part, Natalia has shown fight and courage by fighting for the top 5 every day with her partner Irina Lützelschwab.
Sergio Mantecón arrived in great shape after his good pace demonstrated in the races at the beginning of the year. The Mantecón & Bernas couple, which was formed as a result of the last-minute loss of Jose Mari Sánchez, had little time to work together, so they decided to be cautious and start the prologue, saving their strength for what was to come. After the first day, they began to fuel their engines and accelerate their pace, finishing two consecutive stages in the top 10 of the best in the world.
From stage 4 onwards, things started to get more exciting. Our boys seemed increasingly stronger, entering the finish line P8. And already in stage 5, their peak form was such that they led the test for many kilometers. But when a stalemate was predicted, a crack in the deck ruined the fight with the leading group.
Trying to make up for it, in stage 6 they won again, leading the race in several sections, until at the end a new mechanical failure caused them to lose a few precious seconds, but they managed to get into P7 at the finish line.
Yesterday, in the Grand Finale, they made up for it with their best result, P6. A final touch to close a spectacular career that has made us dream and fly very high.
On the other hand, girls played a much more constant role. Natalia and Irina already knew what it was like to run together and get on the podium in Andalucía Bike Race. They gave their all from day one and got their well-deserved reward at every stage.
They started strong in the prologue, entering P10, but knowing that their best version was yet to come. From there, they did not drop from P6, achieving their best result in stage 4, touching the podium, entering P4.
They closed the race with another top 5, so we finished the race very happy and motivated for the season to come.
