Vuelta Majorca

 
As the Vuelta Majorca is a masters race, the various age groups are split by the decade from 30 to 60. 50’s and 60’s, the Super Vets, raced together on the early shift from 9am, followed by the 30’s and 40’s, the Masters, racing together from 11am. The 3-day stage lengths were around 70km for the super Vets and 110km for the Masters.
 

 

Day 1 – Single day race – Playa de Palma

 
A circuit race with a 2km stretch along the seafront on block pavement and then a loop out around the town. This was a fast and furious affair, every one keen to try and get away, though nothing was sticking for very long. This lead to the inevitable crash heading for the line, which I managed to avoid, finishing in the front group created by the crash.
 

Day 2 – Single day race – Portocolom

 
A very hot day at this picturesque seaside town, with a challenging course involving a 5km climb and a technical finish. We had already witnessed a severe crash on the last corner in the morning’s 50/60s race, so were keen to avoid the same in the now much larger complete field of seniors (under 30s), 30s and 40s field.

 
The climb started immediately on leaving the small fishing port start/finish area. Groups of ones and twos drifted off the front forming a group of twelve that I thought I should get into before the descent into Felantix.
 
We had 6 laps to complete on a hot day and it proved to be a hard grind. Eventually on the last lap the remaining 8 of us were joined by a chase group, but by this point my right calf gave up and submitted to cramp. I rolled in taking 8th in the 40’s category.
 

Day 3 – Stage 1 of the 3-Day – Cala D’or

 
The first of a 3 day stage race, and another hot one. The circuit was ‘deceptively rolling’ with over 1000m of climbing in just over 90km.
 
Early on John Heaton-Armstrong triggered a break containing British riders, Chris Macnamara and Andy Hastings, plus some Spanish riders. They were never out of sight on the long straight fast roads and eventually succumbed to the pace of the bunch after 3 laps. I managed to sit in for the majority getting an easy ride to save myself for the big one the following day.
 

John on the 2nd day of 3-day after taking the overall lead in 40’s category

Day 4 – Stage 2 of the 3-Day – Pollença

 
With a fast flat 70km before the major climb of the day up to Lluc (600m), this stage looked likely to decide the GC.
 
A large break of around 30 went about an hour in, with myself in it. Making sure I was at the front hitting the climb, I sat behind a couple of others as they rode tempo. As they started to fade, I went to the front and started to ride hard. Only Andy Hastings was able to go with me. About halfway up, I spotted a Spanish rider who had been on a solo break most of the day. We collected him and I started to think about how to win the King of the Mountains.
 
Basically, I buried myself hoping to grind the other 2 down. The Spanish rider had a strong sprint and local knowledge on his side; he went at the right moment but I managed 2nd.

 
Then we had a 30km ride along the top and down the drop down back to Pollenca. The three of us rode well together. At the line the Spanish guy beat Andy, and I came in 3rd in the 40’s category, 56 seconds ahead of a chase group of 6 riders behind.
 

John (left) at the start of the final day keeping the mountains jersey warm for the yellow jersey

Day 5 – Stage 3 of the 3-Day- Playa de Muro

 
The last day consisted of two large laps down through Petra and back to the coast via Can Picaforte, with two 2km KOM climbs. The main aim was to keep everything together and try to get some more mountain points to overhaul the Spanish leader. My team did a great job of getting me to the bottom of the climbs at the front, allowing me to take 3rd on the second. Unfortunately I couldn’t shake the race leader and get enough points to take the mountain jersey in the end.
 
Rolling in towards the finish a small group of the main contenders slipped off the front. John Heaton-Armstrong came to the rescue and pulled things along, limiting the damage to just 20-seconds by the finish. So positions stayed the same, taking the win in the 40’s age category and 3rd overall in the 3-day Tour of Majorca.
 

Start of 3rd day with the Belgian points leader

For course/stage profiles, maps and details see Vuelta Majorca
 
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