Yesterday, in the first stage of Volta a Catalunya, LAMPRE-MERIDA’s riders had no luck in joining the winning breakaway despite the good attempt by Jan Polanc. In the 2nd stage (Matarò-Olot, 191,8 km), the blue-fuchsia-green colors were already in the front after 5km of racing thanks to the presence of Tsgabu Grmay in the leading breakaway with Bewley, Stamsnijder amd Mas.

The four riders had a maximum advantage of 4′, but the peloton reacted and neutralized the breakaway with 18km to go.

The hilly final kilometers with two climbs turned out to be the key sector: the bunch was split in two and Valls, Durasek and Niemiec managed to be in the lead group while Ferrari was dropped close to the finish. Valls made an attempt of attack in the approach to the final kilometer, but his action was neutralized.

Valverde won the sprint of the 101-rider group, Valls was 13th and he’s now 35th in the overall classification, 2’50” behind leader Paterski.

" Today we must underline the determination with which all our riders showed when they tried to join the break in the first kilometers of the race," sports director Orlando Maini said. "Grmay had the tenacity and skill to get into the right action and was able to resist for a long time. It was not easy, the stage had a nervous course and the rain and the cold have added a significant load of trouble. 

"In the finale, Valls, Niemiec and Durasek were while it was a shame that Ferrari suffered and only failed to stay in the first group by a very small margin."