Lejarreta wins in Vall de Lord

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Iñaki Lejarreta (Orbea Racing Team) won the third round of the GP Massi-Copa Catalana BTT International in Val de Lord, held on the circuit located in Sant Llorenç de Morunys (Lleida). Lejaretta's teammate Ruben Ruzafa was second at 1:52 ahead of World Champion Jose Antonio Hermida (Multivan Merida) in third at 3:12.

Racers competed on a 6.8km course with 275m of climbing per lap.

"We are very happy. The tactic was to get Iñaki and Reuben away. With Hermida chasing, Lejarreta has to be strong to win. Lejarreta has proven that he is riding at a high level," said Orbea Team Director Ixio Barandiaran.

"Today was a great day," said Lejarreta, who took a break after a seventh place finish at the World Cup in South Africa.

"I had gotten a stomach virus, and I was unsure of how I would race against Hermida, Cedric Ravanel and Ruzafa, but as the kilometers passed, I saw I was stronger than my rivals and was reassured. I'm happy to have achieved a major victory and that my preparation for the next World Cup is well under way."

Next week, Lejarreta and his Orbea team will race in the Portugal Cup in Seia Lusa as its riders continue to gain UCI points to increase their chance of competing in the Olympic Games next year.

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