the russian Ilia Shchegolkov (Controlpack) He has prevailed with authority in the sprint in the 57th edition of the Guadiana Circuit and has become the first leader of the Spanish Elite-Sub23 Cup. Ricardo Zurita (CC Padronés-Cortizo) and Sergi Darder (High Level-GSport-Grupo Innova) completed the podium of the Dombenitense test, the first of the national competition. The Extremaduran race started with various attacks that did not come to fruition, and after the first pass over the Magacela pass the peloton rolled compactly.
Already at kilometer 35 the most important leak of the day would take place, composed of Sergio Gutiérrez (Gomur-Cantabria Infinita), Raúl Bastida (Telco’m-ON Clima-Osés), Antonio González (Eolo-Kometa), Iker Mintegi (Laboral Kutxa-Euskadi Foundation), Marc Torres and Aaron Wade (CC Padronés -Cortizo), Fernando Rodríguez (Bicicletas Rodríguez-Extremadura) and Iker Pérez (Caja Rural-Alea). The difference between the breakaway and the peloton reached two and a half minutesbut after the third pass through Magacela the difference began to decrease until it was neutralized with about thirty kilometers to go.
The last step through the demanding Magacela was led by the eventual winner, Shchegolkov, who led a first group finally made up of about 30 units that would end up risking victory in a sprint through the streets of Don Benito. Already in the finish line, the Russian gave no option to his rivals and asserted his power to impose himself with authority ahead of Ricardo Zurita (CC Padronés-Cortizo) and Sergi Darder (High Level-GSport-Grupo Innova). In this way Shchegolkov also dresses as the first leader of the national contest. The Spanish Elite-Sub23 Cup will roll again next week in Murcia, where the XXXII Guerrita-Memorial Juan Romero and Diego Sánchez de Alcantarilla Trophy will take place on Sunday, March 5.