BORA – ARGON 18 started into the 2015 cycling season with the opening of the Mallorca Challenge today. The riders competed over 175 kilometers in the Trofeo Santanyi-SesSalines-Campos on the Balearic Island. As expected, the fast riders fought for the win of the day as the race was decided in a bunch sprint. Matteo Pelucchi (IAM Cycling) won the race, relegating Elia Viviani (SKY) and Jose Rojas (Movistar) to the podium places. Sam Bennett finished in 10th place at his debut in the BORA – ARGON 18 outfit.

“Unfortunately, this wasn’t the season opening we hoped and wished for. We aimed definitely higher than a tenth place. Our lead-out-train is newly composed and, of course, it’s not fully established yet in the very first race. The guys went a bit too early with the preparations. And Sam had bad luck – twice actually. First he had a mechanical with 10 kilometers to go and then he had a puncture within the final 500 meters. So he was forced to sprint from a bad position on a flat tire”, resumes Head Sport Director Enrico Poitschke of BORA – ARGON 18 the team’s first race.

Tomorrow, the second day of the Mallorca Challenge will be raced. The Trofeo Andratx-Mirador d'Es Colomer leads the peloton over 149 kilometers on a more profiled terrain. BORA – ARGON 18 changes its line-up accordingly, replacing the sprinters by riders experienced in classics and climbs.