For the second consecutive day, a runner debuts his record as a professional in the Majorca Challenge. On Thursday, at the Ses Salines-Alcudia Trophy, the honor went to the Dutchman Van den Berg, while this Friday the joy went to the Belgian Kobe Goossens (26 years old), who won a tough Andratx Trophy. On Wednesday it was Rui Costa who won, an award-winning runner who by no means premiered his record, but that served him to break a drought of more than two years. The Challenge is leaving joys among veterans and novices, but also very cold, reaching its peak in the event conquered by Gossens. At the top of the Mirador d’es Colomer he was accompanied by a meritorious Pelayo Sánchez (22 years old), from a Burgos who prolongs his state of happiness, and the Belgian Van Eetvelt (21 years old), from Lotto. A podium for an average of 23 years.
Despite the fact that the rain gave a truce in Andratx for the start, the runners were aware that the bad weather forecast would come true. Appropriate clothing for it and marching on a day with a lot of coast, on a broken day that had the ascent in its course, nothing more and nothing less than Puig Major, located in the Sierra de Tramontana and the highest point in Mallorca. It was right on this climb that Goossens attacked from an already reduced peloton and made contact with the breakaway of seven riders. He arrived and barely gave way, pushed forward and took his compatriot Cian Uijtdebroeks, from Bora, with him. Both made their way, but the latter began to suffer on the descent, something that Gossens perceived and pushed even more. It served.
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Its final income decreased as it ascended to the Mirador des Colomer, but his advantage was so wide (over a minute and a half) that he was able to celebrate without trouble. As soon as he crossed the finish line, he threw himself on the ground of a peak where, in good weather, you can see as far as Menorca, but the fog and clouds did not allow you to see it on a day with an average of ten degrees. As for more Spanishfifth was Roger Adriá (Kern Pharma), sixth Fernando Barceló (Caja Rural) and ninth Gonzalo Serrano (Movistar). “This is very special, it is my first win and I came here very motivated.. The team is at a high level (Rui Costa won the first day, Girmay was third on the second). It was a very cold day and to be able to win is incredible”, said Gossens at the finish line.
Hot towels, tea with honey, backpacks loaded with thermoses, raincoats and jackets that were hard to put on and off… numerous runners reached the finish line shivering. Some even had to go down (the buses were at the foot of the last rise) by car because they could hardly make more effort. And this Saturday, the Serra de Tramuntana Trophy, modified by the red alert for this Saturday. The ascent to Puig Major is eliminated and it will be a double pass through the Col de Femenies. The rain aims to be company again… and even the snow, since there is a red alert. Last day for trail runners before Sunday’s final Trophy for sprinters in Palma.
Andratx Trophy classifications
1st Kobe Goossenes (BÉL/Intermaché) 4h 07:00
2nd Pelayo Sánchez (Burgos BH) at 39
3rd Lennert van Eetvelt 40
5th Roger Adriá (Kern Pharma) mt
6th Fernando Barceló (Caja Rural) 44
9th Gonzalo Serrano (Movistar) 50
18th Julian Alaphilippe (FRA/Quick Step) 1:05