Degenkolb wins Trofeo Campos-Porreres-Felanitx-Ses Salines

John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) emerged victorious on the opening day of the Challenge Mallorca, beating Sondre Holst Enger (Israel Cycling Academy) and Jasper De Buyst (Lotto Soudal) in a bunch finish in Ses Salines.

Degenkolb delivered a powerful sprint finish to claim a resounding victory on his first race day of 2018, and the German will hope that it is an augury for better things after two seasons blighted by injury.

The 179-kilometre Trofeo Campos-Porreres-Felanitix-Ses Salines marked the beginning of the 2018 European racing season and saw Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) make his first competitive appearance since he crashed out on the opening day of last year’s Tour de France.

There was a rather bracing start to the year for the peloton, as the road climbed almost immediately after the flag was dropped just outside Porreres. Preben Van Hecke (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) attacked on the category 4 Coll Es Monjos, and Eloy Teruel (Spain) bridged across to the Belgian over the top of the climb.

The leading duo were joined shortly afterwards by Gonzalo Serrano (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), Álvaro Robredo (Burgos-BH), Aitor González (Euskadi-Murias), Alberto Amici (Biesse Carrera Gavardo), Jon Ander Insausti (Fundacion Euskadi) and Botond Hollo (Pannon Cycling Team), and this eight-man move quickly established a firm lead over the peloton.

After 65 kilometres, their advantage was just shy of two minutes, and though the sprinters’ teams kept close tabs on the escapees, their buffer augmented a little further during a brisk second hour of racing, reaching a maximum of 2:45 with 60 kilometres remaining.

The break’s unity eventually fragmented on the third and last of the day’s category 4 climbs, the Coll Es Monjos. Van Hecke was once again aggressive on the ascent, and only Gonzal Serrano, Gonzalez, Amici and Insausti could follow his tempo to the top.

Behind, the speed was beginning to rise in the main peloton as Trek-Segafredo, Lotto Soudal and others began to marshal their lead-outs ahead of the fast run-in to Ses Salines, and the break’s lead was slashed accordingly.

With 50 kilometres to go, the gap was down to 1:30, and the margin tightened gradually thereafter, dropping to 46 seconds with 30 kilometres remaining. Lotto Soudal were especially active in the closing kilometres, and the Belgian squad’s efforts brought an end to Van Hecke and company’s adventure with a shade over 15 kilometres remaining.

Burgos-BH, Trek-Segafredo and Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij were all prominent in the closing kilometres as the sprinters’ teams vied for supremacy, but the strength in depth of Degenkolb’s red guard, which included Jasper Stuyven, ultimately proved telling.

After navigating the technical final kilometre, Degenkolb was well positioned as the road straightened up in the final 200 metres, and he produced a fine sprint to get his 2018 season off to the perfect start.

Holst Enger held off De Buyst for third, while Kenny Dehaes (WB-Veranclassic-Aqua Protect) took fourth ahead of Albert Torres (Spain).

The event traditionally finishes in a bunch sprint, and Degenkolb is the third German winner in as many years following André Greipel’s victories in 2016 and 2017. Other recent winners include Sacha Modolo (2014), Tyler Farrar (2011), Oscar Freire (2010) and Robbie McEwen (2009).

The Challenge Mallorca – a series of four one-day races rather than a stage race – continues on Friday with the rather hillier Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana, which features six climbs, including the Coll de Puig Major, ahead of the finish Deià. Valverde, who finished safely in the main peloton, could be among those looking to test themselves on more rugged terrain on Friday.

Degenkolb!!! El sprínter del @TrekSegafredo gana en Ses Salines!!! @johndegenkolb pic.twitter.com/Ohubha1Mpv

Full Results

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1John Degenkolb (Ger) Trek - Segafredo4:02:18
2Sondre Enger (Nor) Israel Cycling AcademyRow 1 - Cell 2
3Jasper De Buyst (Bel) Lotto SoudalRow 2 - Cell 2
4Kenny Dehaes (Bel) WB Aqua Protect VeranclassicRow 3 - Cell 2
5Albert Torres Barcelo (Spa) National teamRow 4 - Cell 2
6Xavier Cañellas (Spa) National teamRow 5 - Cell 2
7Daniele Bennati (Ita) Movistar TeamRow 6 - Cell 2
8Erik Baska (Svk) Bora - HansgroheRow 7 - Cell 2
9Leonardo Basso (Ita) Team SkyRow 8 - Cell 2
10Aaron Grosser (Ger) Team Sauerland Nrw P B SkRow 9 - Cell 2
11Daniel Lopez Parada (Spa) Burgos - BHRow 10 - Cell 2
12Jordi Warlop (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen - BaloiseRow 11 - Cell 2
13Enrique Sanz Unzue (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - MuriasRow 12 - Cell 2
14Bram Welten (Ned) Team Fortuneo - SamsicRow 13 - Cell 2
15Kenneth Van Rooy (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen - BaloiseRow 14 - Cell 2
16Kiel Reijnen (USA) Trek - SegafredoRow 15 - Cell 2
17Kevyn Ista (Bel) WB Aqua Protect VeranclassicRow 16 - Cell 2
18Jesus Ezquerra (Spa) Burgos - BHRow 17 - Cell 2
19Nelson A Soto Martinez (Col) Caja Rural - Seguros RGARow 18 - Cell 2
20Wouter Wippert (Ned) Roompot - Nederlandse LoterijRow 19 - Cell 2
21José Rojas (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 20 - Cell 2
22Egoitz Fernandez (Spa) Team EuskadiRow 21 - Cell 2
23Omer Goldstein (Isr) Israel Cycling AcademyRow 22 - Cell 2
24Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Trek - SegafredoRow 23 - Cell 2
25Ian Stannard (GBr) Team SkyRow 24 - Cell 2
26Lukas Pöstlberger (Ger) Bora - HansgroheRow 25 - Cell 2
27Kevin Deltombe (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen - BaloiseRow 26 - Cell 2
28Coen Vermeltfoort (Ned) Roompot - Nederlandse LoterijRow 27 - Cell 2
29Per Chris Münstermann (Ger) Team Sauerland Nrw P B Sk0:00:06
30Kenny Elissonde (Fra) Team SkyRow 29 - Cell 2
31Raul Colombo (Ita) Biesse Carrera GavardoRow 30 - Cell 2
32Hector Saez Benito (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - MuriasRow 31 - Cell 2
33Fabricio Ferrari (Arg) Caja Rural - Seguros RGARow 32 - Cell 2
34Adrian Gonzalez (Spa) Burgos - BHRow 33 - Cell 2
35Elmar Reinders (Ned) Roompot - Nederlandse LoterijRow 34 - Cell 2
36Christophe Noppe (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen - BaloiseRow 35 - Cell 2
37Eloy Teruel Rovira (Spa) National team0:00:08
38Ibai Salas Zorrozua (Spa) Burgos - BHRow 37 - Cell 2
39Emiel Planckaert (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen - BaloiseRow 38 - Cell 2
40Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 39 - Cell 2
41Sergio Pardilla Bellon (Spa) Caja Rural - Seguros RGARow 40 - Cell 2
42Gotzon Martin Sanz (Spa) Team EuskadiRow 41 - Cell 2
43Enrico Salvador (Ita) Biesse Carrera GavardoRow 42 - Cell 2
44Dylan van Baarle (Ned) Team SkyRow 43 - Cell 2
45Michal Golas (Pol) Team SkyRow 44 - Cell 2
46Mathias Van Gompel (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen - BaloiseRow 45 - Cell 2
47Gianni Moscon (Ita) Team SkyRow 46 - Cell 2
48Ricardo Garcia (Spa) Team EuskadiRow 47 - Cell 2
49Maxime Daniel (Fra) Team Fortuneo - SamsicRow 48 - Cell 2
50Jordi Simon Casulleras (Spa) Burgos - BHRow 49 - Cell 2
51Michael C Svendgaard (Den) Team Fortuneo - SamsicRow 50 - Cell 2
52Cesare Benedetti (Ita) Bora - HansgroheRow 51 - Cell 2
53Daniel Turek (Cze) Israel Cycling AcademyRow 52 - Cell 2
54Dániel Dina (Hun) Pannon Cycling TeamRow 53 - Cell 2
55Guy Niv (Isr) Israel Cycling AcademyRow 54 - Cell 2
56Sebastian Mora (Spa) National teamRow 55 - Cell 2
57Eliot Lietaer (Bel) WB Aqua Protect VeranclassicRow 56 - Cell 2
58Felix Intra (Ger) Team Sauerland Nrw P B SkRow 57 - Cell 2
59Pim Ligthart (Ned) Roompot - Nederlandse LoterijRow 58 - Cell 2
60Antonio Molina Canet (Spa) Caja Rural - Seguros RGARow 59 - Cell 2
61Markel Irizar Aramburu (Spa) Trek - SegafredoRow 60 - Cell 2
62Jorge Arcas (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 61 - Cell 2
63Eduard Prades Reverter (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - MuriasRow 62 - Cell 2
64Márton Dina (Hun) Pannon Cycling TeamRow 63 - Cell 2
65Alex Aranburu Deba (Spa) Caja Rural - Seguros RGARow 64 - Cell 2
66Sindre S Lunke (Nor) Team Fortuneo - SamsicRow 65 - Cell 2
67Julien Mortier (Bel) WB Aqua Protect VeranclassicRow 66 - Cell 2
68Imanol Erviti (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 67 - Cell 2
69Kevin Ledanois (Fra) Team Fortuneo - SamsicRow 68 - Cell 2
70Andrey Amador (CrC) Movistar TeamRow 69 - Cell 2
71Boy Van Poppel (Ned) Trek - SegafredoRow 70 - Cell 2
72Frederik Frison (Bel) Lotto SoudalRow 71 - Cell 2
73Julio A Amores Palacio (Spa) National team0:00:18
74Péter Simon (Hun) Pannon Cycling Team0:00:20
75Hector Carretero (Spa) Movistar TeamRow 74 - Cell 2
76Louis Leinau (Ger) Team Sauerland Nrw P B SkRow 75 - Cell 2
77Lawrence Naesen (Bel) Lotto SoudalRow 76 - Cell 2
78Juan A Lopez-Cozar (Spa) Team EuskadiRow 77 - Cell 2
79Andrea Zanardini (Ita) Biesse Carrera GavardoRow 78 - Cell 2
80Moreno Hofland (Ned) Lotto Soudal0:00:29
81Michael Schwarzmann (Ger) Bora - Hansgrohe0:00:32
82Dimitri Peyskens (Bel) WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic0:00:39
83Viktor Filutás (Hun) Pannon Cycling TeamRow 82 - Cell 2
84Philip Deignan (Irl) Team SkyRow 83 - Cell 2
85Ludovic Robeet (Bel) WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic0:00:40
86Benoit Jarrier (Fra) Team Fortuneo - Samsic0:00:50
87Pablo Torres Muiño (Spa) Burgos - BHRow 86 - Cell 2
88Pierre Luc Perichon (Fra) Team Fortuneo - SamsicRow 87 - Cell 2
89Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal0:00:53
90Unai Iribar (Spa) National team0:00:54
91Dennis Van Winden (Ned) Israel Cycling AcademyRow 90 - Cell 2
92Preben Van Hecke (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen - BaloiseRow 91 - Cell 2
93Diego Lopez Fuentes (Spa) Team EuskadiRow 92 - Cell 2
94Sergio Rodriguez Reche (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias0:00:56
95Gotzon Udondo (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - MuriasRow 94 - Cell 2
96Juraj Sagan (Svk) Bora - Hansgrohe0:01:23
97Julien Stassen (Bel) WB Aqua Protect Veranclassic0:01:30
98Victor Campenaerts (Bel) Lotto Soudal0:01:55
99James Shaw (GBr) Lotto SoudalRow 98 - Cell 2
100Matthias Brändle (Aut) Trek - Segafredo0:02:21
101Luis E Lemus Davila (Mex) Israel Cycling Academy0:02:38
102Lorenzo Delcó (Swi) Biesse Carrera GavardoRow 101 - Cell 2
103Jan Willem Van Schip (Ned) Roompot - Nederlandse Loterij0:03:16
104Peio Goikoetxea (Spa) Team EuskadiRow 103 - Cell 2
105Aitor Gonzalez Prieto (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - MuriasRow 104 - Cell 2
106Alvaro Robredo Crespo (Spa) Burgos - BHRow 105 - Cell 2
107Jon Knolle (Ger) Team Sauerland Nrw P B SkRow 106 - Cell 2
108Jon Ander Insausti (Spa) Team EuskadiRow 107 - Cell 2
109Illart Zuazubiskar (Spa) National teamRow 108 - Cell 2
110Miklos Szabo (Svk) Pannon Cycling TeamRow 109 - Cell 2
111Jesper Asselman (Ned) Roompot - Nederlandse LoterijRow 110 - Cell 2
112Rafael Reis (Por) Caja Rural - Seguros RGARow 111 - Cell 2
113Aleksejs Saramotins (Lat) Bora - HansgroheRow 112 - Cell 2
114Leopold Konig (Cze) Bora - HansgroheRow 113 - Cell 2
115Nick Van Der Lijke (Ned) Roompot - Nederlandse Loterij0:04:57
116Luca Felix Happke (Ger) Team Sauerland Nrw P B SkRow 115 - Cell 2
117Gonzalo Serrano (Spa) Caja Rural - Seguros RGA0:05:17
118Gergo Orosz (Hun) Pannon Cycling TeamRow 117 - Cell 2
119Botond Holló (Hun) Pannon Cycling Team0:06:03
120Alberto Amici (Ita) Biesse Carrera Gavardo0:06:07
121Enrico Logica (Ita) Biesse Carrera Gavardo0:08:05
122Nicolo Gozzi (Ita) Biesse Carrera GavardoRow 121 - Cell 2

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