Challenge Costa Blanca, a UCI event for Team Polti VisitMalta U19
The Alicante town of San Vicente del Raspeig hosts the time trial and the online stage of the Challenge Costa Blanca, a UCI junior event that will bring together 30 European teams including three national teams. An event of special significance for Óscar Orts, who lives there and knows the route of the race to perfection.
After the debut in the Circuito del Guadiana, comes the first double event for Team Polti VisitMalta U19, which travels to the Challenge Costa Blanca with maximum aspirations, but aware of the high level of the participants. A time trial of 7.5 kilometres that presents a certain hardness; together with the day’s 133-kilometre line with four scoring ports and the ascents to Maigmó, Canalis, Carrasqueta and Tibi before the final favourable part, make up the route of the race.
The squad for the Alicante event is made up of the aforementioned local rider Óscar Orts, who already finished in the top-10 in the opening of the Spanish Cup; Jaume Barceló, Ricardo Giner, Matteo Compagnoni, Aitor Martínez and Nacho Sánchez. They have the capacity to shine and cyclists for all race situations, fighting against the best at European level.
Óscar Orts, Team Polti VisitMalta U19 rider, analyses a second day ‘really hard, which will be selected from the beginning. I think that between La Carrasqueta and Tibi the group that will play for the victory will be formed. I’m looking forward to doing well at home and I’m confident in the strong team we’re taking to the race’.
Sports director Isaac Cantón is excited and confident about the Challenge Costa Blanca: ‘We are looking forward to measuring ourselves in our first UCI race, and especially with Óscar Orts, who will be riding at home, on his own roads. The time trial will already make a difference and will determine the weight of the teams that will be competing in Sunday’s stage. The online stage will allow us to go all out and to measure our level against the professional teams’ affiliates. It’s an opportunity that we’re going to take advantage of’.
