Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervélo) won the Tofeo Cala Millor, the second race in this year’s Mallorca Challenge, to take his second race in the series in as many days. The American sprinter outpaced German first year pro John Degenkolb and Australian track specialist Leigh Howard (both HTC-Highroad) at the end of the 172.4km race on the Mediterranean island’s west coast region.
After yesterday’s protest, when the majority of the peloton took the start with two-way radios in defiance of the International Cycling Union (UCI) ban on their use, the race started normally.
Early in the race Luis Pasamontes (Movistar), Adrian Sáez (Orbea) and Steve Cozza (NetApp) got away. Despite the fact that they managed to build a lead that reached more than 10 minutes at its maximum, they were doomed to failure thanks to the determination of the sprinters’ teams.
Philippe Gilbert (OmegaPharma-Lotto), in characteristic fashion, attempted to escape the peloton in the final few kilometres; his attempt came to nothing though and Farrar took the victory ahead of the two HTC-Highroad riders.
After his victory in yesterday’s Trofeo Palma de Mallorca (although it is not recognised by the UCI because of the rider’s radio protest) Farrar holds the lead in the unofficial overall classification. Since the five races of the Mallorca challenge are individual one day events, rather than stages of the same race, there is no leader’s jersey, although an unofficial prize is awarded to the best rider who rides all five.
Result Trofeo Cala Millor
1. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin-Cervélo
2. John Degenkolb (Ger) HTC-Highroad
3. Leigh Howard (Aus) HTC-Highroad
4. Klaas Lodewyck (Bel) OmegaPharma-Lotto
5. Francisco Ventoso (Spa) Movistar
6. Marcel Kittel (Ger) Skil-Shimano
7. Daniel Schorn (Aut) Team NetApp
8. Robert Wagner (Ger) Leopard Trek
9. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Leopard Trek
10. Jose Rojas (Spa) Movistar