Sheyla Gutiérrez becomes Spanish ITT champion
28 June 2019

Storms to victory in Yecla

Three years after her latest success in the race as an under-23 rider, the Rioja native claims the elite title in Murcia, ahead of Oyarbide (silver), Rodríguez (bronze) and Merino (4th).

Just like in 2018, the Movistar Team swept the podium of the Spanish Time Trial Championships, held on Friday over 21.6km of an up-and down course, made of long straights, in Yecla, Murcia.

Sheyla Gutiérrez owned the race with an exceptional performance, at nearly 45kph average. The allrounder from Varea, La Rioja, put 33″ on hee nearest rival, Lourdes Oyarbide, at the intermediate check 10.8km into the race, a gap she increased to 53″ at the finish over the Basque (silver). Gloria Rodríguez took bronze, at 55″, with Eider Merino in fourth, 1’41” back.

The squad managed by Jorge Sanz and Sebastián Unzué will seek to retain the second title at stake on Saturday, the road race, over a course barely exceeding 100km from Archena to Lorca -the Castillo climb as biggest obstacle, crested just 3km before the finish- under extremely warm conditions.

REACTION / Sheyla Gutiérrez:

“I’m so proud about this victory. Time trials, and more precisely the Spanish Championships, did not go well for me in the past despite having the right conditions to do well – the strength, the aero efficiency. This course was a real fight against yourself: just staying focused into those long straights, fighting and suffering to keep a high pace – and I finally found the right one to succeed. I was able to celebrate with my team-mates, who were phenomenal today, and this result really gives us hope and confidence for Saturday. We’ve got a strong squad all-around, with lots of chances, and we’ll do our best to retain the jersey.”

Jasinska takes silver at Polish CRI

In turn, Malgorzata Jasinska put on a strong effort to try and defend her Polish ITT title from 2018 at the 22km course in Stebark. The Movistar Team veteran finished 1’01” behind new champion Anna Plichta (TFS), securing silver by just two seconds against Aurela Nerlo (NES).

Results – 2019 Spanish ITT Championship

Pictures (c): Photo Gomez Sport