Cycling fans, brace yourselves for a thrilling comeback story! Biniam Girmay just shattered his year-long victory drought with a jaw-dropping debut win for NSN Cycling at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana's opening stage. But here's where it gets controversial—was it sheer skill, or did Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe's bold tactics inadvertently pave the way for his triumph? Let’s dive in.
In a race that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, Girmay clinched victory in a reduced bunch sprint, outmaneuvering rivals in a nail-biting finish. Meanwhile, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and Remco Evenepoel flexed their muscles with a late, powerful attack by Giulio Pellizzari, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown. And this is the part most people miss—Pellizzari’s move wasn’t just about winning; it was a strategic gambit to force competitors into a no-win situation: chase him and risk propelling Evenepoel to the top, or let him go and face a formidable threat.
The race ignited early with an attack by Mats Wenzel (Kern Pharma) and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Polta VisitMalta), soon joined by Danny van der Tuuk (Euskatel-Euskadi) and Lewis Adam (APS Pro Cycling by Team Cadence Cyclery). Hamish Armitt (Novo Nordisk) briefly attempted to bridge the gap but ultimately rejoined the peloton. For over 100 kilometers, the race settled into a stalemate, with the breakaway’s lead hovering around three minutes—a gap too slim to sustain.
The real fireworks began at the Cat 3 Puerto de los Madroños climb, 32 kilometers from the finish. Red Bull seized control, shredding the peloton to just 30 riders, including heavyweights like Evenepoel, Pellizzari, and former Valenciana winner Aleksandr Vlasov. Notably absent were João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), leaving the front group to dictate the race’s rhythm.
As Pellizzari launched his late break, the peloton faced a dilemma. Chase him and risk boosting Evenepoel’s GC position, or let him go and contend with a dangerous rival? Ultimately, they opted to wait, swelling the chase group to over 70 riders. Yet, Pellizzari’s 30-second lead proved stubbornly resilient, even on flat terrain, thanks to Red Bull’s tactical blocking.
It took a collective effort from Bahrain Victorious, Ineos Grenadiers, and NSN to reel him in, culminating in an epic chase through Torreblanco’s streets. Ineos’ Ben Turner kicked off the sprint, but Girmay, shadowing him closely, unleashed his top speed to secure the win. Former teammate Marit later remarked, ‘Bini isn’t the fastest accelerator, but once he hits top speed, he’s unstoppable.’ A testament to Girmay’s prowess.
For NSN, this victory marks their second of the season, following a stage win at the Tour Down Under. Yet, Girmay’s lead may be short-lived, as stage two’s 17-kilometer time trial from Carlet to Alginet looms large. With Evenepoel in top form and Red Bull riding high after triumphs in Mallorca, the Belgian is poised for another victory—his third in under a week. But here’s the burning question: Can anyone stop Evenepoel’s dominance, or is he simply too far ahead of the pack?
What’s your take? Is Evenepoel’s success a testament to his skill, or is the competition falling short? Let us know in the comments below!
