Vuelta a Castilla y León (st. 2)

Polish and Spaniard get top-10 finishes behind Belda (BUR) in Lubián; 'Sylwek' set to defend overall podium en route to Bembibre tomorrow

Freed from any collective responsibilities to fulfil during the Vuelta a Castilla y León, Sylwester Szmyd has shown notable form in the only mountain-top finish of this year’s Spanish race, starting this morning in Zamora with José Joaquín Rojas in the leader jersey and heading towards the Alto de Lubián (Cat-1), in a 179km trek which also included the climb of Padornelo (Cat-2). The Polish climber did not take an inappropiate effort to follow a strong attack by David Belda (BUR), whose huge ascent awarded him the victory, and chose to keep his own pace together with Spaniard Marcos García (CJR), reaching the finish line in 3rd place at 55″.

Behind, Javi Moreno got back into good feelings in the first real test of his second part of the season, finishing with Pinto (LAA), Del Pino (BUR) and Figueiredo (BOA) for 6th and climbing into fifth overall, Szmyd in a provisional third podium place. Sunday will define the overall result in Bembibre, with 164km almost with no rest as the Alto del Peñón (Cat-1), Carbajal (Cat-3), Peña Aguda (Cat-2), Portillinos (Cat-1), Onamio (Cat-3) are set to be covered.