More than 200 competitors battle it out in Costa Almeria Cochinillo Villa de Huercal-Overa cycle race

MORE than 200 competitors battled it out in Sunday’s Cochinillo Villa de Huercal-Overa cycle race, among then 99 in the elite category.
Huercal-Overa council, which organised what was the eighth edition of event in collaboration with Club Indalbike, described it as a great success, attracting good size crowds to cheer on the participants.
First off the starting line at 10am were the beginners, infants, cadets, junior, female and hobby riders. Then it was the turn of the kids’ series category at 11am, and finally at 11.30 the upper categories.
The higher classifications had to do 16 turns round the course, or 58 kilometres in all.
It was a close run race, but in the end it was Fran Garcia Rus (Ludofoods-Louletano-Aviludo) who was first across the finishing line, repeating his victory of last year.
Teofilo Jimenez (Ciclos Teo) came in second and Juan Jose Alarcon (Encacon) was third.
In the beginners sector
Diego Cervantes (Terra Sport Cycling) was the top rider in the beginners’ category, Luis Alberto Lajarin (Escuela Ciclismo Bicis) in infants and Pablo Aznar (C.C. Pedalbike) in cadet/junors.
In the feminine category this year’s champion was Eva Maza Ortiz (Pemoy). Number one in beginners’ feminine was Claudia Margido , and in infant feminine Irene Lorente (CC La Geoda de Pulpi).
Speaking at the trophy presentation, Huercal-Overa Mayor Francisca Lourdes Fernandez thanked all the riders who took part, the public for their enthusiastic support and the companies which sponsored the event. She also expressed the council’s gratitude to the teams behind the race organisation and public safety.
“We have been able to enjoy a very attractive sporting event, with the presence of cycling professionals and great future cycling promises, at the same time as backing sport from the grass roots up and development health life habits among our children”, the Mayor commented.