Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) claimed the general win within the second version of the Madrid Criterium by successful the street race and ending second within the elimination race.
The world champion emerged from a gaggle of six riders on the Calle Gran Vía circuit to win the street race in entrance of a crowd estimated at one thousand sturdy. Spanish stars Juan Ayuso (UAE Workforce Emirates) and Omar Fraile (Ineos Grenadiers) completed second and third respectively.
It was the primary time in his skilled profession that Van der Poel lined up for a race in Spain.
“It is actually very good to be right here, with lots of people. I loved it and the environment was good. The course was laborious, very quick and intense,” Van der Poel advised the media after the occasion.
Although final yr’s winner Tadej Pogačar didn’t participate within the occasion, his UAE Workforce Emirates teammates Ayuso and Marc Soler took the beginning for the 25 parade laps within the metropolis centre
The small peloton additionally included fan favourites Luis Léon Sánchez (Astana Qazaqstan), Juan Pedro López (Lidl-Trek), Cristian Rodríguez (Arkéa-Samsic) and Movistar’s Oier Lazkano and Carlos Verona.
Sánchez, who is retiring after a 20-year skilled profession on the finish of 2023, was celebrated by the riders who raised their bicycles in a guard of honour as he made his method to the beginning line. The Spanish stalwart’s palmares embody 47 UCI victories and 31 Grand Tour appearances.
“It has been probably the most particular moments of my profession,” Sánchez advised MARCA.
To the delight of followers, Sánchez nabbed the victory within the elimination race held on the identical course forward of Van der Poel and Lazkano earlier than the street race.
In a celebration of biking, followers lined as much as get autographs from Van der Poel and Spanish biking legend Alberto Contador on the Plaza del Calla on Sunday morning.