Historians say that some places where NEOM intends to establish itself have not been stepped on by more than 10,000 people. Among all of them, surely, no one knows the secrets of the Saudi desert like Haimar Zubeldia and David Valero, lone rangers in the three stages of the NEOM Titan Desert Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday, the Olympic medalist kept the victory in a joint entry to the finish line; on Wednesday, with Julen Zubero as a guest, they rode again hand in hand; Today, after 79 more kilometers of shared experiences, Zubeldia triumphed in the queen stage (139 km and 1,133 meters of unevenness). “He (Valero) has told me that he wanted me to win. All week we have understood each other and he has shown that he is a gentleman ”, revealed the Basque in goal. Despite being the Spaniard with the most participations in a Tour de France (16), in which he managed to accumulate five top-10s, he had never won on a Titan.
From the sea, with Egypt so in sight that they even received text messages welcoming the country, to the most arid canyons imaginable. From the wind, spurred by the coast, to a burning climate. Two worlds. Between one and the other, only a curve, to the right, which gave way to the first big climb of the day. 20 very hard kilometers, without excessive slope, but one of those that punish. In them, in the middle of a savannah landscape, the head of the race was broken and recomposed. The desert put everyone in their place. “I had a little respect for the stage, because the first two days we have also given it. Today, I missed myself a bit, because I felt very good legs. On the coast, I saw that I had legs and on the ascent I felt fine. First, Betalú has tried to break the group. Later, David has given continuity and I have been able to go with him ”, explained Zubeldia.
Triki Beltrán and Vicente Quiles were the first to give way. Roberto Bou, with them, did not give up. Julen Zubero and Josep Betalú, up front, did not want to lose sight of the two leaders. Before, long before, the race had already been selected, with a bus waiting at km 80, a control point only for the strongest. In 55, Julen, always at about 20 kilometer meters, gave in to the rhythm of the bosses. In minute 57, a very energetic Betalú did it, who took the initiative during the first stages. Both connected over 60 to definitely unleash the lone rangers. “They came back, but toasted. You also had to keep up the pace on the ups and downs, on fairly soft ground where strength is needed”, added Haimar, with some 180 km alongside Valero. They already know each other well.
Today, under a scorching sun, the end never seemed to come. “We saw the finish line in the distance, but…”, Zubeldia described with a smile. “It’s been a bit long. Six hours in the mountains is a good punishment”, joked Valero. Along the way, they had left behind places as spectacular in nature as in history. Between mountains, canyons and plains, they had skirted Al Bad’ or crossed Magna, the town where, according to the biblical narrative of Exodus, Moses went to drink after parting the waters of the Red Sea. In Arabia, the epic does not only come from sweat. In Arabia, a new king is sought. “You’ve seen the stage too, haven’t you? Who has been hit more by the wind… It’s a joy to ride with him. I have to do everything to go to the wheel. Tomorrow we will see what happens, but I am clear who is the strongest”, Zubeldia dedicated to Valero after their umpteenth adventure together. Tomorrow they will have to separate.