Stage 1 Highlights | Mediterranean Epic 2021 - Castellón (ESP)

It has been a unique start in the history of the Mediterranean Epic. A time trial has opened the race that this year has UCI SHC category, with the participation of the two XCM world champions and full of stars from the XCM and XCO. The first contact with the Mediterranean Epic has been a new individual time trial that had 16 km and 550 meters of positive elevation. It combined fast roads along the seashore, scary rock-gardens, flowy singletracks and a long final ascent to the antennas of Oropesa del Mar. At the sporting level, the long list of top-level bikers made it impossible to make a forecast. Italian Fabian Rabensteiner (Trek Pirelli) set the best passing times to finish winning with an impressive 38:11 time, beating Czech Martin Stosek (Canyon Northwave) by just 6 seconds and German Sasha Weber (Trek Vaude). Although the differences have not been big among the first classified, it has been a way to show what riders arrive in better shape, as well as to discard some favorites from the fight for the general classification. Among the victims of the day is the world champion, the Colombian Leonardo Páez, who, still recovering from the injuries of a fall last weekend, has not been at his usual level. Iván Díaz, 8th, was the only Spaniard in the top-10. In the women's category, the victory of the young Italian Chiara Teocchi was not a surprise, but it was the advantage obtained. The member of the Italian team was 30 seconds faster than the XCM World champion and defending champion, the Swiss Ramon Forchini (jB Brunex - Superior). Estonian Janika Löiv was 3rd, just 5 seconds behind Forchini. The rest of the riders have lost more than a minute and a half from Teocchi. The question will be to see how Teocchi, a specialist in XCO, faces the next days that will benefit Forchini. The battle is served. After the timed section, the bikers had to complete the route, no longer fighting the clock, to the finish line in Marina d'Or. A way to enjoy the trails in the area and the sunny and pleasant weather of this day without the pressure of the competition. On the 2nd stage, starting and finishing in Castellón, 58km and + 1,700m of elevation will create a very different day of competition.

Check out the highlights from the first stage of the Mediterranean Epic 2021 in Castellón (ESP).

Stage 1 Results

Men:
1. Fabian Rabensteiner (ITA) - 38:11min
2. Martin Stosek (CZE) +00:06min
3. Sascha Weber (GER) +00:15min

Women:
1. Chiara Teocchi (ITA) - 45:54min
2. Ramona Forchini (SUI) +00:30min
3. Janika Loiv (EST) +00:36min