News Racing

Andalucia Bike Race Day Five

25.02.2016
by

The penultimate day of the 2016 Andalucia Bike Race seen the increasingly tired riders tested once again with 82 kilometers of varying terrains, conditions and over 2000 meters of climbing. It was a Swedish surprise in the form of Scott pairing Gustav Larsson and Karl Friberg who rode amazingly to clinch the 5th stage in a time of 3:33:48. Twenty-one seconds behind them it was Ferreira / Ilias who took some time back on leaders Hynek / Lakata, but the Topeak pairing remain at the top of the overall classification going into the final stage. It was a familiar tale in the women as Bigham and Leumann eased to a 5th straight stage win and remain unbeaten on the trails of Andalucia, they were followed home by MMR’s Santanyes / Noriega. Tomorrow a final 70 kilometers will see the victors of the 2016 running of the Andalucia bike race crowned. Stay tuned.

With rain fall overnight, trail conditions were mixed meaning riders had to adapt quickly.
With rain fall overnight, trail conditions were mixed meaning riders had to adapt quickly.
There were more than a few bruised, battered and aching bodies as the grid lined up for the start.
There were more than a few bruised, battered and aching bodies as the grid lined up for the start.
As the riders rolled off the start, few would have been expecting the Swedish pairing of Larsson and Friberg to cross the finish line first.
As the riders rolled off the start, few would have been expecting the Swedish pairing of Larsson and Friberg to cross the finish line first.
There was certainly not let up for the field today with more intensive climbs punishing riders.
There was certainly not let up for the field today with more intensive climbs punishing riders.
Larsson and Friberg led into the final descent and held onto to take the win.
Larsson and Friberg led into the final descent and held onto to take the win.
A steep and technical descent right at the end of the day tested tired bodies and minds.
A steep and technical descent right at the end of the day tested tired bodies and minds.
Topeak Ergon's Erik Kleinhans tackles a tricky rock garden.
Topeak Ergon’s Erik Kleinhans tackles a tricky rock garden.
Leumann leads out Bigham, a pairing that has proved truly dominant.
Leumann leads out Bigham, a pairing that has proved truly dominant.
Fancy finishing off an 80km day with snapped bars? Me neither.
Fancy finishing off an 80km day with snapped bars? Me neither.
Another day ticked off, one more to go!
Another day ticked off, one more to go!

Andalucia Bike Race Stage Five Results:

Men:

Andalucia-Bike-Race-Day-Five-Men-Result

Women:

Andalucia-Bike-Race-Day-Five-Women-Result

Andalucia Bike Race Overall Classification After Stage Five:

Men:

Andalucia-Bike-Race-Day-Five-Men-Overall-Result

Women:

Andalucia-Bike-Race-Day-Five-Women-Overall-Result

For full results and more information visit the Andalucia Bike Race Website.

Words & Photos: Ross Bell

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