Cycling: Gregor Mühlberger (Bora-hansgrohe) almost clinched the first Austrian victory of the 2018 season. At the Trofe Lloseta-Andratx, Mühlberger finished second. Only soloist Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo) was faster, who was able to achieve the second success at the Mallorca Challenge for his team.
Three escapees at the Trofeo Lloseta-Andratx
Today the Trofeo Lloseta-Andratx was on the program. The section took the drivers over 171,9 kilometers across the island. The wavy profile was designed to accommodate puncheurs rather than sprinters, which is why many teams didn't field their fastest men at all. With Elie Gesbert (Fortuneo Samsic), Daniel Turek (Israel Cycling Academy) and Preben Van Hecke (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) three men snuck away. For a long time they dominated the race before they were collected again by the mercilessly chasing main field. But even after that, the race shouldn't calm down - on the contrary.
The breakaway in Valldemossa. Beautiful landscapes!#ChallengeMallorca pic.twitter.com/e1HRA32tL0
— Cycling Friendly (@CyclingFriendly) 27 January 2018
Skujns exploits the hesitation of the favourites
As soon as the three fugitives were apprehended, there were numerous attacks. At this point, the peloton consisted of only about ten men. The Austrian broke away for a short time Michael Gogl (Trek-Segafredo), but they brought him back too. Then it came to the decisive attack of his teammate Tom's Skujins (Trek Segafredo). Not taken seriously by the many well-known professionals, he was quickly able to open up a large gap. Some drivers went after him, but it was too late. The favorites looked at each other for too long and Skujins took the chance. In the last meters he even had time to adjust his jersey and to cheer extensively. After John Degenkolb won the first race of the Mallorca Challenge, the Trek-Segafredo team celebrates its second victory. The Austrians came in second, 25 seconds behind Gregor Muehlberger (Bora-hansgrohe) before Elmar Reinders (Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij). Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was fourth.
Tom Skujins went to the Lloseta Trophy – Andratx!!! @TrekSegafredo
📹 @CyclingFriendly pic.twitter.com/MslAcUMGlz- ChallengeMallorca (@ChallengeMca) 27 January 2018