Paluta and Bernas surprise and win the first stage of the Andalucía Bike Race 2023, Figueras and Wüst win with authority in the women's category

The JBG2 Team pair formed by Michal Paluta and Pawel Bernas surprised in the opening stage of the Andalucía Bike Race by Garmin 2023 to take the victory in Torredelcampo. In the women's race, Txell Figueras and Janina Wüst, from BUFF-MEGAMO TEAM, won their stage and took the leader's jersey.

Paluta-Bernas and Figueras-Wüst win the first stage of the Andalucía Bike Race 2023

The Andalucía Bike Race by GARMIN started its 13th edition with an unprecedented start from Torredelcampo, Jaén. An inaugural stage that coincided with the Andalusia Day long weekend and had a large number of people both at the start and at the finish.

With 48 kilometers and more than 1,800 meters of positive elevation gain, it was expected to be a tough day in which participants have traveled the endless trails of the Sierra de Jamilena, the Cerro de Santa Ana and the slopes of Jabalcuz.

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The rain of the previous days, the snowfall at higher altitudes and the low morning temperatures, have made the stage had very technical and complicated areas that have resulted in crashes and mechanical problems in several teams. Among those affected was the pair formed by the Polish Michal Paluta and Pawel Bernas (JBG2 Team), both former professionals on the road, who finally managed to recover to reach the finish line ahead and become the first leaders of the race.

"We started the stage with no luck. In the second kilometer we had to stop because of a problem with the bike and we lost two minutes. The first half of the stage was a chase for us, but at the top of the last climb we were able to open up a margin."

In second place came Francesco Failli and Riccardo Chiarini (Taddei Factory Team), just over 1 minute behind, who after leading throughout the stage suffered a mechanical problem in the last kilometers that deprived them of the victory. Miguel Muñoz and Roberto Bou (Cannondale Vas Arabay) completed the podium and became the first Spanish pair, in a result that left them euphoric: "We can't believe it. We have passed the mud zone much better than the rest of the riders and in a moment we were third".

In the women's race, Txell Figueras and Janina Wüst (Buff-Megamo Team) who made their debut as a couple in a stage race, and thanks to their good understanding and pace set from the first kilometers, has allowed them to lead with solvency. Although mechanical problems have not gone unnoticed, they have reached the finish line with more than 2 minutes ahead of the second, Lejla Njemcevic and Stefanie Dohrn (Canyon Allebike). Completing the podium were Katazina Sosna and Irina Luetzelschwab (Team Torpado BULLS Swiss).

In the debut of the town of Torredelcampo as the venue for a stage of Andalucía Bike Race by GARMIN, the mayor of the town Javier Chica has been very satisfied: "We have a very nice and peculiar little piece of mountain and Torredelcampo already deserved a start and finish".

The second stage will start from the Cathedral of Jaén to face a day of more than 53 kilometers and about 1,500 meters of positive slope that will take us to the environment of El Neveral, the slope of Jabalcuz and El Pincho.
The day will coincide with the Day of Andalusia and the festivity will be celebrated with a special category that will dispute only that stage. We invite all the people of Jaén to join the festivity and celebrate together the Day of Andalusia, cheering and living the event from the start and finish. At the arrival at the Olivo Arena in Jaén there will be inflatables and DJs to liven up the party as it deserves.

STAGE AND OVERALL CLASSIFICATION - ELITE MEN - Andalucía Bike Race by Garmin 2023 

1. Michal Paluta - Pawel Bernas – JBG2 TEAM – 02:27:47
2. Francesco Failli - Riccardo Chiarini – TADDEI FACTORY TEAM – 02:28:57
3. Miguel Muñoz – Roberto Bou CANNONDALE VAS ARABAY – 02:29:15

STAGE AND OVERALL CLASSIFICATION - ELITE WOMEN - Andalucía Bike Race by Garmin 2023 

1. Txell Figueras - Janina Wüst BUFF-MEGAMO TEAM - 02:59:57
2. Lejla Njemcevic – Stefanie Dohrn CANYON ALLEBIKE – 03:02:09
3. Katazina Sosna – Irina Luetzelschwab TEAM TORPADO BULLS SWISS – 03:02:52