The European cycling season kicks off this Friday in Spain with the Clásica Camp de Morvedre, a one-day Spanish race that is part of the international calendar under the UCI 1.2 category. Two Colombian riders will be competing with Movistar: Nairo Quintana from Boyacá and the young Diego Pescador from Quindío.
Several Latin Americans are also among the entrants: Uruguayan Thomas Silva will ride for XDS Astana Team, Brazilian Henrique Bravo for Soudal Quick-Step, and Uruguayan Eric Antonio Fagúndez and Guatemalan Sergio Chumil, who finished third last year, will ride for Burgos Burpellet BH.
The new Spanish race will cover 163.4 kilometers, starting and finishing in the municipality of Estivella. It presents itself as an opportunity for climbers, given the two ascents of the demanding Alto del Garbí located in the final part of the route. This climb, just over 5 km long, boasts average gradients exceeding 9%, enough to create gaps between the contenders for victory. However, from the final summit to the finish line, there will still be 20 very fast kilometers of favorable terrain.
This race will mark the start of the classics season in the Valencian region: the Clásica Camp de Morvedre (UCI 1.2, 23/01), the Gran Premio Castellón – Ruta de la Cerámica (UCI 1.1, 24/01), and the Clásica Comunidad Valenciana 1969 (UCI 1.1, 25/01).
The Valencian race, which recaptures the essence of the historic ‘Vuelta Camp de Morvedre’, was revived last year after having been held eight times in the 1980s. The late Eduardo Chozas was the winner of the 1983 edition. The current champion is the Spaniard Urko Berrade, who will defend the title with Team Kern Pharma.
Fuente: Revista Mundo Ciclístico