Vattenfall Cyclassics

Consistent performance from the Murcian in Hamburg for 4th; ambitious sprint by the Cantabrian lands him in 11th after strong approach

The two top sprints of the Movistar Team lifted emotions in the only race of the Blues’ schedule on German soil. José Joaquín Rojas and Fran Ventoso fought for a good result into the 2013 Vattenfall Cyclassics (243km), coming into a traditional mass sprint outcome after lots of attacks -with Andrey Amador taking control, yet not making part, during the finale- were chased down by a dominant bunch.

His contract extension announced days earlier by the telephone squad, Rojas showed his courage to get into great position for the last 4k, with plenty of sharp turns, before Ventoso surged from behind with one kilometer remaining to launch the sprint. The Cantabrian’s effort was too much in the end, narrowly missing on a top-ten place -with Rojas overcoming for 4th- as John Degenkolb (ARG) grabbed the day’s honours.