Cult Energy Pro Cycling today participated with a new line-up in the Mallorca Challenge race series and in spite of a solid effort on the uphill finish, Stephen Cummings (Qhubeka) won ahead of race favorite Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).
 

Ten riders took off from the get-go of today’s 149 kilometer long and mountainous second race of the Mallorca Challenge called Trofeo Andratx-Mirador d'Es Colomer but as the terrain started to rise, three riders jumped out of their saddles and quickly distanced the rest of the group. Reaching the upper slopes of the climb to Puig Major with 30 kilometers to go, the three riders were within a minute of the chasing pack. But they fought relentlessly to keep everyone behind.

At the foot of the three kilometer long uphill finish, the front trio was swept up by the galloping field and rushing under the one kilometer banner, a group of 20 riders were to fight it out on the finish line. Cult Energy Pro Cycling’s Rasmus Guldhammer was in the mix at the foot of the climb but lost ground on the final kilometers. Stephen Cummings (Qhubeka) was the first to initiate an attack and he outsprinted Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) on the finish line.

Cult Energy Pro Cycling DS, Michael Skelde says:

“We were off to a very fast start of the race and as the ten riders created a gap, Movistar took over the reigns of the pack. The boys gave it a good fight towards the finale but we simply weren’t able to follow the pace on the final climb. However, I'm happy about the way we’re approaching the race and about the way we work for each other and that’s what we’re here to practice. I’m very confident regarding the season ahead of us."