One day after the victory of Rui Costa on the roads of the Trofeo Calvia, Intermarché-Circus-Wanty again managed to finish on the podium on the occasion of the Trofeo Alcudia, the second of five races of the Mallorca Challenge.
The Walloon World Team took its responsibilities in the lead of the peloton, controlling the gap to the early breakaway of four riders. Thanks to the work of Lilian Calmejane, among others, all leaders were caught on the slopes of the Coll de Sa Batalla with its top 30 kilometer before the finish.
In the small remaining peloton, Biniam Girmay could rely on three teammates to lead him to the group finish. Former world champion Rui Costa sacrificed himself to neutralize a breakaway attempt of Nils Politt, before Loïc Vliegen and Mike Teunissen prepared the sprint for the rider from Eritrea.
Biniam Girmay was well positioned thanks to the help of his teammates, taking third place in a particularly curvy and wet final hectometer. Mike Teunissen finished ninth.
« I’m proud of my team. We are motivated for this season and boosted after Rui Costa’s win yesterday. The atmosphere is excellent. Today it wasn’t possible to sprint because of the wet and curvy final. But I’m happy to offer them this third place. I’m pleased with my form, I have confidence in my teammates. I wish Adrien a good recovery, I hope to see him soon back on the roads. »
