Trofeo Alcudia 2022 – Preview

By @EchelonsHub

The Mallorca Challenge began with a flier, a very aggressive race as expected with a ~65Km solo move from Brandon McNulty to succeed, taking advantage of the rolling terrain. Teammate Joel Suter finished second and Vincenzo Albanese wrapped up the podium from a short chasing group.

The Route

A more gentle day for the sprinters, although by no means an easy task. Having two loops around the small town of Port d’Alcudia, most of the race is indeed flat with no obstacle to bother the riders except if the weather conditions turn ugly, most will have their eyes on the sole climb of the day

As you can see it’s not a hard climb, but it is nevertheless a ~19/20-minute effort and that won’t be easy for many, some of the sprinters will be hanging on for dear life and hoping for a more gentle pace, and having the help of teammates will be crucial to make sure they keep a good pace and if they get dropped, to make sure they have the best chance possible of reconnecting. This climb summits with 35.8Km to go and it features a couple of small hilltops right after, before a fast descent off the Coll de Femenia (33Km to go) that will lead into the final to the final 20 kilometers which are essentially pan-flat.

The final kilometers will mostly take place by the sea before getting into Alcudia, luckily though it will be far from a technical finale. Some turns on the historic center, some roundabouts, but the roads are wide, there aren’t tight turns and there is no road furniture of risk, the final straight has around 750 meters and is pan-flat.

The Weather

Tactics

UAE and Israel, at the very least, will be controlling the race from the start, they are the teams with the big sprinters and there isn’t anything to look into until the climb starts. It’s not a big effort, I am sure some moves will come, specially towards the top as some riders will be looking to fly away from the peloton, Movistar, AG2R, Kern Pharma and Lotto Soudal are likely the ones to stir the pot, there’s a chance BikeExchange may get into it aswell so as to drop some sprinters and look for an alliance.

The Favourites

Pascal Ackermann – UAE are by far the strongest team at the start here, even though in sprint stages there isn’t usually a man to beat, for sure they will have total responsability to keep the race under control. Ackermann is not a consistent sprinter, but he isn’t facing top competition, he’s got a full leadout behind him counting with Juan Sebastian Molano who himself can replace the German.

Giacomo Nizzolo – Another debutant for the team, Israel will be hoping for a strong start to the season and Nizzolo is their best card, but Israel also have two cards to play as Rudy Barbier is a very fast rider, however more likely to struggle on the climbing.

Alexander Kristoff – Like the riders above, a man looking to start off his stint in the new team well. Can he do so? Good question, Kristoff still has the speed but he struggles to get everything right, tomorrow the field isn’t too full so it’s definitely a good opportunity, with Pasqualon, Ghirmay and Petit backing him up Intermarché absolutely have good chances of striking gold.

Matteo Moschetti – Trek have brought in a good squad for a sprint scenario, they always do quite well, although they’re missing some of the big engines that regularly lead the team to sprint wins. Nevertheless, Matteo Moschetti is a good card to play, and so is Jon Aberasturi, I don’t know if one will have preference but only 1 rider can win and the Italian should be the man to protect.

Giovanni Lonardi – The only rider who’s won a road race this season who’s at the startlist, Lonardi is going to be leading Eolo and won’t be having the pressure others will, he’s shown speed already this week and will be trying to replicate that result.

Iuri Leitão – I admit, there’s some bias in my mention (as I have been in the same peloton in the past as him), but you can absolutely trust me when I tell you he is about to have a breakthrough. Track specialist with immense top power, he will have a leading role in Caja Rural and has a great opportunity to show himself tomorrow.

Additionally to these you have some riders who would really benefit from a hard climb, thus a reduced bunch sprint, more obviously the likes of Michael Matthews, Ivan Cortina and Filippo Fiorelli obviously, some sprinters who may budge in the fight for the top places like Sacha Modolo, Eduard Michael Grosu or Marco Haller, and of course I do expect to see some attacks on the climb, but I foresee the chances of success in moves there will not be high, specially as most of the main climbers are taking some rest tomorrow.

Inside The Bus

This morning I talk to…

#112 Barnabás Peák – Our job for tomorrow is to keep everything steady, we have Alexandro, Biniam and Andrea all with possibilities of winning, so your most important task is to keep an eye on them on the climb, Alex mainly, make sure they get through it. Ideally, we shouldn’t chase so as to save the legs for the end, responsabilities will fall on UAE and Israel, make sure they stay safe and towards the front always, it’s their job to finish it off afterwards.

#123 Matteo Moschetti – Matteo this is a great opportunity to start off the season with a bang, and we will be depositing a lot of trust in you. Main goal is to get over the climb, speed you have it. Ideally Jacopo, Emils and Jon will make it through the climb aswell and manage to lead you out towards the end, if not then follow the wheels of UAE, the win is there. Don’t try to surprise, instead wait for them to control the leadout and try to sweep in over Ackermann in the final few meters.

#227 Tuur Dens – Tuur, breakaway is the goal. We’re here for some training and sun, make sure you get those big efforts in, if you don’t manage to get there then try to hang on in the peloton for the climb and see if an opportunity pops to attack afterwards towards the finale.

Prediction Time

⭐⭐⭐Ackermann, Nizzolo

⭐⭐Kristoff, Moschetti

⭐Molano, Aberasturi, Barbier, Lonardi, Leitão, Ghirmay, Matthews, Cortina

Going with facts and logic here, UAE have the team to control the race and leadout Ackermann to the win, he should be the fastest at the end.

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Rúben Silva

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