Volta ao Algarve
Kelso’s Onley attacked into the final 250 metres of the Alto do Malhao summit finish, going clear of his rivals, only to be pipped to stage honours by race winner Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek).
The final stage of the Portuguese race saw the Onley enter the general classification showdown in seventh place, 1:17 down on race leader Ayuso. The first ascent of the Alto do Malhao climb saw attacks from the GC favourites which distanced the rest of a dwindling peloton and started to bridge the gap to the break.
Momentarily dropped, Onley’s new teammate Vauquelin closed a small gap on the summit and then attacked the lead group on the descent, catching them by surprise and gaining a small lead with Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe).
The duo maintained a strong pace to slowly gain an advantage on the overall contenders while reeling in the flailing vestiges of the breakaway, leaving them clear of the race favourites heading into the final 10km.
The group however came all back together at the bottom of the final ascent of the climb, with riders whittering away one-by-one before a group of five or so would contest the win by the last kilometre.
In the final 300 meters, Onley attacked, sprinting into the final corner to gain the inside line, but Ayuso was able to follow and pip the Scotsman on the line to seal the race victory as well as the stage honours. Onley’s second place saw him move up to fourth place overall, the same position he finished at last year’s Tour de France.
The Scot will head back to France for Paris-Nice at the start of next month.
Image: Octisport
MTB
The second race of the Spanish swing to kick-off the new Cross Country season was the Shimano Super Cup in Banyoles, which forms part of the UCI Junior Series.
Freya Mowbray (Scotia Offroad RT) impressed again – with the Edinburgh rider claiming fourth place in the junior field, which was packed full of the best riders from Spain, Sweden, France and Italy. While Isla Short now riding as a privateer finished 13th in Catalonia – again in a field full of top riders.
Joel Gillan (Scotia Offroad RT) rode through the field in the men’s junior event. Riding from 40th on the grid to 13th, a very impressive feat for not only a first year – but a first race at the junior age group. He will certainly be a rider to look out for this season.
Down Under in the downhill, Emily Carrick-Anderson made her season debut at the Crankworks DH New Zealand – finishing in a creditable seventh.