Carlos Rodríguez does an 'Alberto Contador' in El Porvenir: he wins the last stage and is close to the general
Winning like the greatest ever. Like Alberto Contador. For any cyclist there can be no better compliment. Towards Carlos Rodríguez they have to be given after the exhibition of the man of the Spanish National Team in the last stage of the Tour del Porvenir. An attack more than 60 kilometers from the finish line that would turn the race upside down. Taking the last stage and touching the title in the general.
A general classification that Tobias Johannessen saved by eight seconds. After a one against one in the last port. With rhythm, suffering and being champion after seeing how the difference of 2:18 with which he started could vanish.
Carlos Rodríguez promised after the penultimate day that he was going to fight. "I'll give it my all," he warned. No sooner said than done. More than 60 kilometers from the end. On a legendary peak in the Alps, the Col de l'Iseran, it would start after much selection of the group. First, it was the work of Colombia. And with very few units the Granadan moved. An effort to catch up with the brilliant Igor Arrieta, the best breakaway of the day, who helped him distance the Johannessen before beginning the descent.
The difference of the man from Granada would not stop increasing in the descent and approach to the Petit San Bernard. A show of strength for the owner on the day of the mountain jersey and first place among the first and second year riders among the Sub23. Very technical, on the face of the famous Val d'Isere station, with time falling in his favor and exceeding a minute and a half.
Finishing Iseran, Rodríguez reached a difference of 1:40 over the group of favorites (there were 11 units marching) in the last port. With a stable difference compared to the group commanded by Anders Johannessen, twin of the yellow jersey. In the absence of 16 kilometers, the responsibility would be taken by the dominator of the race.
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Rodriguez vs. Johannessen
A one on one between Rodríguez and Tobias Johannessen. With the difference stable at 1:35, enough for the Norwegian who imposed a pace that was gradually discarding his companions. But the Andalusian would not give up, and would increase the difference after two minutes. The dream of assaulting the leadership was a reality.
A rhythm that would leave him 4 seconds from glory. Johannessen lowered his performance and saw how the German helped him in the group, but Zana pulled him out. Suffering still maintained a minimal advantage. The leadership was hanging by a thread.
In the last kilometer, the race depended on a couple of seconds. Johannessen defended himself with the last forces. But Carlos Rodríguez had the display of it. He was the winner of the last stage with an exhibition for the history of the Tour del Porvenir.
like the best
Finally, Johannessen entered with eight seconds of rent. A minimal difference, but that does not subtract an iota from what Rodríguez has achieved. Thus, the Norwegian would save his title in the Tour del Porvenir. The second in a row for Norway after the one in 2019 (in 2020 there was no race due to the coronavirus) that Tobias Foss (currently in Jumbo-Visma) achieved. With two stage victories, but always bothered by the brave Carlos Rodríguez.
The one from Ineos returns Spain to the podium of the Future. A place where Miguel Indurain or, recently, Marc Soler or Rubén Fernández triumphed, and which is usually a great preview for future runners. Just as Pogacar and Bernal left their mark, Carlos Rodríguez made a "Contador". Exhibition to remember.