Michal Paluta and Pawel Bernas surprise and are the first winners

Figueras and Wüst are the first winners in Elite Women category

Torredelcampo hosted for the first time the inaugural stage of the 13th edition of Andalucía Bike Race by GARMIN. The debut of the town of Jaén, which coincided with the Day of Andalusia long weekend and hosted a large public and a great atmosphere at both the start and finish, was a tough stage of 48 kilometres and more than 1,800 metres of positive altitude gain. The route took the runners through the endless trails of the Sierra de Jamilena, the Cerro de Santa Ana and the slopes of Jabalcuz.

The rain of the previous days, the snowfalls at higher altitudes and the low morning temperatures meant that the stage was difficult at some points, causing some crashes and mechanical problems in several teams. The Polish pair of Michal Paluta and Pawel Bernas (JBG2 Team), both former road pros, managed to take the victory and become the first leaders of the race. "We started the stage with no luck. In the second kilometre we had to stop because of a problem with the bike and we lost two minutes. The first half of the stage was a chase for us, but at the top of the last climb we were able to open up a margin".

Just over a minute behind Francesco Failli and Riccardo Chiarini (Taddei Factory Team), who led for most of the day, but were penalised in the final kilometres by a mechanical problem and were overtaken by the stage winners. Miguel Muñoz and Roberto Bou (Cannondale Vas Arabay) completed the podium and became the first Spanish pair, in a result that left them euphoric: "At the start we signed it, we can't believe it. We got through the mud zone much better than the rest of the riders and at one point we were third".

For their part, Txell Figueras and Janina Wüst (Buff-Megamo Team), who were making their debut as a pair in a stage race, and thanks to their good understanding and pace from the first kilometres, allowed them to lead with solvency. Although mechanical problems did not go unnoticed, they reached the finish line more than 2 minutes ahead of the second placed riders, Lejla Njemcevic and Stefanie Dohrn (Canyon Allebike). Completing the podium were Katazina Sosna and Irina Luetzelschwab (Team Torpado BULLS Swiss). "We started the stage with no luck. In the second kilometre we had to stop because of a problem with the bike and we lost two minutes. The first half of the stage was a chase for us, but at the top of the last climb we were able to open up a gap. The top of the last climb we were able to open up a margin".

On the debut of the town of Torredelcampo as the venue for a stage of the Andalucía Bike Race by GARMIN, the mayor of the town, Javier Chica, was very satisfied: "We have a very beautiful and peculiar part of the sierra and Torredelcampo already deserved a start and finish". Tomorrow's stage will start from the Cathedral of Jaén to face a day of more than 53 kilometres and about 1,500 metres of positive difference in altitude that will take us to the surroundings of El Neveral, the Jabalcuz hillside and El Pincho.

The day will coincide with the Day of Andalusia and the festivity will be celebrated with a special category that will compete only in this stage. We invite all the people of Jaén to join in the festivities and celebrate the Day of Andalusia together, cheering and living the event from the start and finish. At the finish in the Olivo Arena in Jaén there will be inflatables and DJs to liven up the party as it deserves.

GENERAL AND STAGE STANDINGS – CATEGORÍA MASCULINA

Michal Paluta - Pawel Bernas JBG2 TEAM – 02:27:47

Francesco Failli - Riccardo Chiarini TADDEI FACTORY TEAM – 02:28:57

Miguel Muñoz – Roberto Bou CANNONDALE VAS ARABAY – 02:29:15

GENERAL AND STAGE STANDINGS – CATEGORÍA FEMENINA

Txell Figueras - Janina Wüst BUFF-MEGAMO TEAM - 02:59:57

Lejla Njemcevic – Stefanie Dohrn CANYON ALLEBIKE – 03:02:09

Katazina Sosna – Irina Luetzelschwab TEAM TORPADO BULLS SWISS – 03:02:52