The Ibizan Enrique Morcillo (Santa Eulalia, 33 years old), one of the leading “riders” on the national BTT scene, had the honor of donning the first red leader’s jersey of the Titan Desert of Saudi Arabia after winning a direct duel with the illustrious former road professional Haimar Zubeldia.
First assault for the “bikers” against the “routers”, but both Morcillo and Zubeldia made the most of their collaboration in an escape that allowed them to reach the goal of the Tabuk camp, highlighted with 10 minutes ahead of third placeanother former World Tour professional, Luis León Sánchez, injured by a fall at the key moment of the attacks.
Morcillo and Zubeldia joined forces, interested in eliminating rivals and getting as much time as possible at the finish line. And they did it. The Ibizan was ahead of the sprint, raising his arms against the Basque with a time of 2h.50.21, at an average of 27.47 km/hour. Away, “Luisle” and Julen Zubero lost 10 minutes, and another of the favorites, Lluis Mas, 11.
It was Morcillo’s second victory in a Titan. The Balearic cyclist participates in his third experience in the desert. In Morocco he competed in 2015 and 2016, and in the first of them he took the victory in the fourth stage.
THE ONLY INCREASE MADE THE DIFFERENCE
The first chapter of the Titan Desert Saudi Arabia was short, barely 76 km, but not without difficulty, with almost 500 meters of elevation gain accumulated by a mostly mountainous route, with complicated steps between rock corridors and sandy off-piste areas until the town of Bajdah.
After the halfway point of the race, the movements began under Morcillo and Luisle in a sandy area that required strength. The Spaniard went uphill until he reached the beginning of the only important climb of the stage. The Murcian suffered a fall, and Zubeldía was welded to the wheel of the stage winner and first leader.
The partnership worked perfectly. It was a unique opportunity and between Morcillo and Zubeldia The collaboration pact was signed until the finish line, in the final stretch of which each one would play their options for speed to debut the red jersey.
“You have to take advantage of the opportunities, at km 40, on the climb, I felt good and well positioned at the front. Haimar and I pushed. Without him I would not have gone because doing the second sector of the stage alone would have been very complicated. We have made a good difference10 minutes, but the Titan won’t be a matter of two. For now, it is better to be ahead,” said Enrique Morcillo at the finish line.
From his experience, Haimar Zubeldía (Usúrbil, 46 years old), valued the difference obtained, since “going ahead gives peace of mind, and in a Titan you have to go day by day. However, with minutes you can play, you go more calmly, you can take less risk. Morcillo is very strong.”
KORTEKAAS ALSO WINS THE SPRINT IN RÓDENAS
In female category The event did not miss the expected duel between the Dutch Tessa Kortekaas, winner in Morocco and Almería, and the Spanish Ariadna Ródenas, who defends her title in Arabia.
Kortekaas, 35 years old, suffered a fall that caused her to reach the finish line bloodied, affected on her left side, but nothing that prevented her from using her sprint power to beat Ródenas. Both invested a time of 3h.18.10, at a shared average of 23.62 km/hour.
“I tried to escape to make time, but it was difficult, and I also suffered a silly fall. It has been a hard day, but tomorrow will be even better,” said the winner.
This Wednesday The second stage will also be held in a circular direction with a route of 121 km starting and arrival at the Tabuk camp and almost 1,000 meters of elevation gain. Stony, twisty and hard terrain, which will see a more rolling first section and a more complex second part, with twisty sections.
2023-11-14 16:13:26
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