Rojas solos to second Spanish road race title
31-year-old ensures national champion's jersey stays in the Movistar family
"Rojas has been unbeatable." With the silver medal on his chest, Ángel Vicioso (Katusha) synthesized the feeling of all the riders who took part today in the road race at the Spanish National Championship. José Joaquín Rojas (Movistar) won the race for second time in his career from a successful breakaway, defeating his companions Vicioso and Jordi Simón (Verva-ActiveJet) with a final attack with five kilometres to go.
The race was held on Cocentaina, birthplace of the mastermind behind this edition of the Spanish National Championships, Vicente Belda. Soul of the once noteworthy Kelme-Costa Blanca team, Belda was pleased to see his son David, tiny climber now riding for the Roth-Skoda team, make the main breakaway of the day.
Six riders escaped along with David Belda. The two main Spanish teams, Movistar Team and Caja Rural, put two riders each in the group: Rubén Fernández and José Herrada for the blue team, Diego Rubio and Miguel Ángel Benito for the green. Two youngsters were there as well: Basque prospect Alex Aranburu (Euskadi-Murias) and Giro finisher Cristian Rodríguez (Willier-Southeast).
The breakaway wasn't meant to succeed and was definitely doomed when Benito lost contact, therefore provoking a situation where Caja Rural wasn't even with Movistar. The Professional Continental team took the reins of the peloton and almost neutralized the group. Only Fernández and Belda attacked in two to survive ahead of the pack.
There were two laps left over a hilly course that, without big climbs, accumulated almost 600 metres of elevation gain over 32 kilometres. On the toughest part of the circuit, Mikel Landa (Sky) and Purito Rodríguez (Katusha) made a move that didn't break clear. The following attack by Jordi Simón did.
The Catalan rider, now racing for the Polish team Verva-ActiveJet, found good company for his willing to be offensive. Sergio Pardilla (Caja Rural), Rojas and Vicioso followed his wheel while he bridged across to the pair that still resisted as head of the race.
Despite some powerful attacks from the peloton, including a remarkable one with Iván García Cortina (Klein Constantia) and Luis Ángel Maté (Cofidis) and a couple of accelerations by Rubén Plaza (Orica-GreenEdge), the fight for the medals was a matter for the six-man group that had formed ahead. With 15 kilometres to go, Simón made a big attack to raise the bar and leave behind Fernández, Belda and Pardilla.
It was then when the Rojas show started. The rider from Murcia went on the offensive time and again. "I wanted to get rid of Vicioso," he asserted on the press conference. And so he did with 5 kilometres to go. "He doubted for a bit and I took the chance to beat him."
This victory is the first for Rojas this season, and the 30th for Movistar Team. "I've had a good season so far. Recently I had good performances at both Giro d'Italia and Route du Sud, so I was confident I could fight for this win," he explained. "Maybe I've shifted my role a bit the last couple of years, from sprinter to domestique, but victory isn't everything. Thanks to this new focus I've improved as a rider. Now I can win from afar and don't have to wait for the sprint anymore."
Asked about his plans for the rest of the season, Rojas explained he intended to participate on the Vuelta a España and was unsure of contesting the Qatar Worlds. "Frankly, I don't know what to expect. I didn't make the Spanish squad for Richmond last year despite of being in great shape. In fact, the Spanish coach [Javier Mínguez] has never called me nor talked to me. I don't trust him."
Full Results
# | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
---|---|---|
1 | Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team | 4:45:22 |
2 | Angel Vicioso Arcos (Spa) Team Katusha | 0:00:07 |
3 | Jordi Simon Casulleras (Spa) Verva ActiveJet Pro Cycling Team | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
4 | Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team | 0:00:13 |
5 | Jesus Herrada Lopez (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
6 | Vicente Garcia De Mateos Rubio (Spa) Louletano - Hospital de Loule | Row 5 - Cell 2 |
7 | Carlos Barbero Cuesta (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 6 - Cell 2 |
8 | Francisco José Ventoso Alberdi (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 7 - Cell 2 |
9 | Luis Leon Sanchez Gil (Spa) Astana Pro Team | Row 8 - Cell 2 |
10 | Angel Madrazo Ruiz (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 9 - Cell 2 |
11 | Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 10 - Cell 2 |
12 | Luis Angel Mate Mardones (Spa) Cofidis, Solutions Credits | Row 11 - Cell 2 |
13 | Oscar Pujol Munoz (Spa) Team Ukyo | Row 12 - Cell 2 |
14 | Benjamin Prades (Spa) Team Ukyo | Row 13 - Cell 2 |
15 | Garikoitz Bravo Oiarbide (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | Row 14 - Cell 2 |
16 | Mikel Landa Meana (Spa) Team Sky | Row 15 - Cell 2 |
17 | Alberto Losada Alguacil (Spa) Team Katusha | Row 16 - Cell 2 |
18 | David Arroyo Duran (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 17 - Cell 2 |
19 | Julio Alberto Amores Palacios (Spa) | Row 18 - Cell 2 |
20 | Jonathan Lastra Martinez (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 19 - Cell 2 |
21 | Egoitz Fernández (Spa) | Row 20 - Cell 2 |
22 | Jesus Ezquerra Muela (Spa) Sporting/Tavira | Row 21 - Cell 2 |
23 | Sergio Casanova (Spa) | Row 22 - Cell 2 |
24 | Víctor De La Parte (Spa) CCC Sprandi Polkowice | Row 23 - Cell 2 |
25 | Mikel Bizkarra (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | Row 24 - Cell 2 |
26 | Jesus Del Pino Corrochano (Spa) Burgos BH | Row 25 - Cell 2 |
27 | Jose Antonio De Segovia Botella (Spa) Louletano - Hospital de Loule | 0:00:26 |
28 | Diego Rubio (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 27 - Cell 2 |
29 | Ruben Plaza Molina (Spa) Orica-GreenEdge | Row 28 - Cell 2 |
30 | Ivan Martinez Jimenez (Spa) | 0:00:30 |
31 | Imanol Erviti (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 30 - Cell 2 |
32 | Victor Etxebarria Carrasco (Spa) Radio Popular - Boavista | Row 31 - Cell 2 |
33 | Ruben Fernandez (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 32 - Cell 2 |
34 | Jonathan Castroviejo Nicolas (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 33 - Cell 2 |
35 | Mikel Iturria Segurola (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | Row 34 - Cell 2 |
36 | Manuel Sola (Spa) | 0:00:35 |
37 | Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Team Katusha | 0:00:41 |
38 | Luis Mas Bonet (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 37 - Cell 2 |
39 | Antonio Angulo Sampedro (Spa) | 0:00:46 |
40 | Sergio Pardilla Bellon (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | 0:00:49 |
41 | Benat Txoperena Matxikote (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | 0:00:51 |
42 | David Belda Garcia (Spa) Team Roth | 0:00:52 |
43 | Igor Merino Cortazar (Spa) Burgos BH | 0:01:28 |
44 | Ivan Garcia Cortina (Spa) Klein Constantia | 0:01:38 |
45 | Imanol Estevez (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | 0:02:48 |
46 | Eduard Prades Reverte (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | 0:04:12 |
47 | Martin Lestido Rey (Spa) Tusnad Cycling Team | 0:08:40 |
48 | Pablo Torres Muino (Spa) Burgos BH | Row 47 - Cell 2 |
49 | Marcos Jurado Rodriguez (Spa) | Row 48 - Cell 2 |
50 | Jon Izaguirre Insausti (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 49 - Cell 2 |
51 | Daniel Sánchez (Spa) | 0:11:01 |
52 | Aser Estevez Cividanes (Spa) | Row 51 - Cell 2 |
53 | Pedro Merino Criado (Spa) | Row 52 - Cell 2 |
54 | Sergio Pérez (Spa) | 0:11:03 |
55 | Jose Miralles (Spa) Tusnad Cycling Team | 0:11:04 |
56 | Raúl Martínez De M. (Spa) | Row 55 - Cell 2 |
57 | Iker Esquibel (Spa) | Row 56 - Cell 2 |
58 | Victor Martinez Garcia (Spa) | Row 57 - Cell 2 |
59 | Jesús Alberto Rubio (Spa) Nasr Dubai | 0:11:07 |
60 | Gabriel Reguero Corral (Spa) Team Differdange - Losch | 0:11:15 |
61 | Alexander Unzueta (Spa) | Row 60 - Cell 2 |
62 | Juan Ignacio Perez Martin (Spa) W52/FC Porto | Row 61 - Cell 2 |
63 | Javier Francisco Aramendia Lorente (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 62 - Cell 2 |
64 | Arnau Soe Vall (Spa) Burgos BH | 0:11:21 |
65 | Alex Aranburu (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | Row 64 - Cell 2 |
66 | Pedro Gregori (Spa) | Row 65 - Cell 2 |
67 | Enrique Sanz (Spa) Wilier Triestina-Southeast | Row 66 - Cell 2 |
68 | Cristian Carralero (Spa) Louletano - Hospital de Loule | Row 67 - Cell 2 |
69 | Carlos Jimenez Lozano (Spa) Radio Popular - Boavista | Row 68 - Cell 2 |
70 | Salvador Guardiola Tora (Spa) Team Ukyo | Row 69 - Cell 2 |
71 | Sergio Rodríguez (Spa) | Row 70 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jorge Arcas Pena (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 71 - Cell 2 |
DNF | José Herrada Lopez (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 72 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Gorka Izaguirre Insausti (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 73 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Javier Moreno Bazan (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 74 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Antonio Pedrero Lopez (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 75 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Marc Soler (Spa) Movistar Team | Row 76 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Miguel Angel Benito Diez (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 77 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Pello Bilbao Lopez De Armentia (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 78 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jaime Roson Garcia (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 79 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Hector Saez Benito (Spa) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA | Row 80 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jorge Cubero Galvez (Spa) Burgos BH | Row 81 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Daniel Lopez Parada (Spa) Burgos BH | Row 82 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Alvaro Robredo Crespo (Spa) Burgos BH | Row 83 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Ibai Salas (Spa) Burgos BH | Row 84 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Peio Olaberria (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | Row 85 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Aritz Bagües (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | Row 86 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Adrian Gonzalez (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | Row 87 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Eneko Lizarralde (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | Row 88 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Aitor Gonzalez (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | Row 89 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Gotzon Udondo (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country - Murias | Row 90 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Antonio Piedra Perez (Spa) Funvic Soul Cycles - Carrefour | Row 91 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Pablo Urtasun Perez (Spa) Funvic Soul Cycles - Carrefour | Row 92 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Rafael Valls Ferri (Spa) Lotto Soudal | Row 93 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jesus Hernandez Blazquez (Spa) Tinkoff Team | Row 94 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Cristian Rodriguez Martin (Spa) Wilier Triestina-Southeast | Row 95 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Daniel Gines Martin (Spa) d'Amico Bottecchia | Row 96 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Antonio Domene Soriano (Spa) Dare Gobik | Row 97 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Juan Jesus Martinez Antolin (Spa) Dare Gobik | Row 98 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Javier Valero Amat (Spa) Dare Gobik | Row 99 - Cell 2 |
DNF | José Alberto Marquez Moreno (Spa) GM Europa Ovini | Row 100 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Rafael Marquez Raigon (Spa) Inteja-MMR Dominican Cycling Team | Row 101 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Israel Nuno Arguelles (Spa) Inteja-MMR Dominican Cycling Team | Row 102 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Joaquin Sobrino Martinez (Spa) Inteja-MMR Dominican Cycling Team | Row 103 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Ricardo Garcia Ambroa (Spa) Kinan Cycling Team | Row 104 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Marcos Garcia (Spa) Kinan Cycling Team | Row 105 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Klein Constantia | Row 106 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Ruben Caseny Catala (Spa) Massi - Kuwait Cycling Project | Row 107 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Axel Costa Soria (Spa) Massi - Kuwait Cycling Project | Row 108 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Marc Vilanova Marsa (Spa) Massi - Kuwait Cycling Project | Row 109 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Eloy Teruel Rovira (Spa) Louletano - Hospital de Loule | Row 110 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Peio Goikoetxea (Spa) Manzana Postobon Team | Row 111 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Pablo Guerrero Bonilla (Spa) Radio Popular - Boavista | Row 112 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Óscar González (Spa) Sporting/Tavira | Row 113 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Sebastia Mascaro Rigo (Spa) Tusnad Cycling Team | Row 114 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Rodrigo Lorente Araque (Spa) Team Ukyo | Row 115 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Francesc Zurita (Spa) Team Vorarlberg | Row 116 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Artur Martí (Spa) | Row 117 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Mario Arranz (Spa) | Row 118 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Daniel Estévez (Spa) | Row 119 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Llorenç García (Spa) | Row 120 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Illart Zuazubiskar Gallastegi (Spa) | Row 121 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Gonzalo Andrés (Spa) | Row 122 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jesús Montero (Spa) | Row 123 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Josu Zabala (Spa) | Row 124 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Adrián García (Spa) | Row 125 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Cristian Astals Fernandez (Spa) | Row 126 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Marc Cayuela (Spa) | Row 127 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Ismael López Valle (Spa) | Row 128 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Genís Soriano (Spa) | Row 129 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Joaquín Badia (Spa) | Row 130 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Miquel Carrió (Spa) | Row 131 - Cell 2 |
DNF | José Luis Cobo (Spa) | Row 132 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Manuel Jiménez (Spa) | Row 133 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Óscar Panisello (Spa) | Row 134 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Adrián Merino (Spa) | Row 135 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Marcos Altur Boronat (Spa) | Row 136 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jose Manuel Cayuela Lopez (Spa) | Row 137 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Francisco Del Rincón (Spa) | Row 138 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Óscar Hernández (Spa) | Row 139 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Fernando Márquez (Spa) | Row 140 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Ricardo Márquez (Spa) | Row 141 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Abraham Carneado (Spa) | Row 142 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Diego Fernández (Spa) | Row 143 - Cell 2 |
DNF | David Francisco Delgado (Spa) | Row 144 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Miguel Llaneza (Spa) | Row 145 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Alberto Lucas (Spa) | Row 146 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Noel Martin Infante (Spa) | Row 147 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Marcos Rojo (Spa) | Row 148 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Aitor Escobar (Spa) | Row 149 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Javier Chacon (Spa) | Row 150 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Ángel Gutiérrez (Spa) | Row 151 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Angel De Julian Vazquez (Spa) | Row 152 - Cell 2 |
DNF | José Manuel Gutierrez Revuelta (Spa) | Row 153 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Miguel Gomez Crespo (Spa) | Row 154 - Cell 2 |
DNF | José Luis Mariño (Spa) | Row 155 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Sergio Míguez (Spa) | Row 156 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Erik Altuna (Spa) | Row 157 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Iñigo Ojeda (Spa) | Row 158 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jorge Ferrer (Spa) | Row 159 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Jesús Ortiz (Spa) | Row 160 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Juan Carlos Ramirez (Spa) | Row 161 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Francisco Santana (Spa) | Row 162 - Cell 2 |
DNF | David Santillana (Spa) | Row 163 - Cell 2 |
DNF | Eric Valiente (Spa) | Row 164 - Cell 2 |
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