Dutch rider Nick Van der Lycke claimed an impressive victory at Saturday’s Granfondo La Nucia in Alicante, Spain, beating Spanish cycling legend Alejandro Valverde in a sprint after 131 kilometres of racing.
The challenging course around La Nucia produced an exciting finale, with Van der Lycke (NED) and Valverde (ESP) managing to distance their closest rivals before battling for victory in a two-man sprint. Van der Lycke proved fastest at the line to take the win ahead of the former World Champion.
Ten seconds later, a three-rider chasing group arrived to fight for the remaining places. Guillaume Gerbaud (FRA) won that sprint to secure third place, with former Belgian professional Jelle Vanendert (BEL) taking fourth and Swiss Michael Nydegger completing the top five in the same time.
Top 5 Men
- 🇳🇱 Nick Van der Lycke (NED)
- 🇪🇸 Alejandro Valverde (ESP) – s.t.
- 🇫🇷 Guillaume Gerbaud (FRA) – +10″
- 🇧🇪 Jelle Vanendert (BEL) – +10″
- Michael Nydegger (SUI) – +10″
Milton takes convincing victory in women’s race
In the women’s race, Felicity Milton (GBR) produced a strong performance to take a clear victory.
Milton reached the finish with a margin of 1 minute 19 seconds over Latvian Dana Roziapa, while Polish Joanna Kucinska finished at 2 minutes 34 seconds to take third place.
Joanna Eslava followed in fourth at 5 minutes 27 seconds, while Ana Isabel Morales Visera rounded out the top five at 17 minutes 06 seconds.
Top 5 Women
- 🇬🇧 Felicity Milton (GBR)
- Dana Roziapa (LAT) – +1’19”
- Joanna Kucinska (POL) – +2’34”
- Joana Eslava (ESP) – +5’27”
- Ana Isabel Morales Visera (ESP) – +17’06”
