Two riders of the Russian Team Katusha, Aleksandr Porsev and Rudi Selig, finished among the 10 best riders of the Spanish one-day race Clásica de Almería. Porsev took 6th place, while Selig closed the Top-10 with his 10th position.

"During the whole race my team supported me, providing me a good position for the final few kilometers. But with more or less 1200 – 1300 meters to go, some riders crashed just in front of me, so it was a miracle I avoided this crash. I had to jump on the roadside and, of course, I lost my position. I had to start my sprint to close the gap and to come back in the leading group which already started its final sprint. Supported by Rudi, I tried to do my sprint again, but finished 6th. I lost too much energy closing the gap after the crash. But I had good sensations during the race and I hope I will be able to get some high results in my next race, the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal," explained Russian Champion Aleksandr Porsev.

"First of all, I would like to note the great team work from all of Katusha in today’s race. Alex Porsev was our leader in the race and we helped him from the start until the finish. Katusha worked a lot in front, controlling the race and chasing the break, while later helping Porsev to get a good position for sprint. Everything went well until the last 1200 meters, when a massive crash happened in front of the group. Alex avoided the crash, but lost his position. He managed to come back, but finally took 6th place, while Rudi Selig was 10th. We missed some luck in the final, but I am happy with the role our team played in today’s race. We took the responsibility in the race, attacked in the crosswind, led the peloton. This is a really good sign for the next races where I am sure a result will come to us," said sports director of Team Katusha Claudio Cozzi.

Mark Cavendish from Etixx – Quick Step became the winner of the Clásica de Almería (186 km), winning the sprint ahead of Juan José Lobato from Movistar and his teammate Mark Renshaw.