Challenge Mallorca (finale)
Rojas' 13th in Palma finishes off Challenge for Movistar Team; dream start for 2015, with victories by Lobato, Malori and Valverde as well as more than 20 top-ten finishes and impressive teamwork
Italian Matteo Pelucchi (IAM) claimed victory in the Trofeo Playa de Palma on Sunday, the last race of the 2015 Challenge Mallorca overshadow by cold, strong winds -frontal in the opening stages, later causing some echelons before the decisive part through the coastline- and drizzle. The Movistar Team riders, who lost John Gadret after few kilometers due to knee pain, avoided any incidents and got into the mix on a sprint where José Joaquín Rojas finished in 13th spot.
As the Challenge takes its curtain down, the telephone squad's first month of racing comes to an end with no overall victory like Nairo Quintana's last season in the Tour de San Luis, yet with unbeatable numbers in any of its five seasons under Movistar's sponsorship. Three wins with as many riders -Lobato (Down Under), Malori (Argentina) and Valverde's exhibition yesterday at the Serra de Tramuntana- and 21 top-ten finishes were the numbers' confirmation of the splendid teamwork and cooperation by all Blues, which made Eusebio Unzué's staff hopeful for the remainder of a season that will carry on in the Gulf.