22nd Trofeo Playa de Palma - Palma(1.1) (149.9km)
Prelude
Just like two years ago, the weather conditions today for the Trofeo Andratx were abysmal, this time resulting in a cancellation at the riders’ request. It’s unfortunate for those who were looking forward to an afternoon of spectacle on the slopes of Puig Mayor (me!), but very understandable given the many crashes and unsafe situations this created for the riders. In some situations, it’s as simple as this:
Tomorrow marks the finale episode of the Mallorca Challenge! This race is traditionally a sprinter’s paradise, with a relatively flat course that sets the stage for an intense last kilometer near the Cathedral of Santa Mario de Palma. Last year, it was Gerben Thijssen (Intermarche-Wanty) who rocketed to victory, before Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility) and Marijn Van den Berg (EF Education-Easy Post).
Parcours
A total of 149.9 km must be covered, with a total elevation gain of 921 meters, or an average of 6.1 meters per kilometer. The course of the race has followed more or less the same route for years, starting just outside S’Arenal and then heading inland. In 2025, there will be no deviation from the course used in 2023 and 2024. After the turnaround near Santa Margalida, the return to the capital Palma de Mallorca is set in a nearly straight line.
There are no significant climbs in the course. At the beginning of the ride, the peloton passes by Randa, but the famous Puig de Randa climb is left to the right. It is a bit undulating in the early phase of the race. The return to Palma de Mallorca is mainly downhill, although there are some short uphill sections in the second part of the course.
After 122 km, the riders reach Palma de Mallorca, where they enter the local circuit. In total, 5 and a half laps of an almost flat 5-kilometer circuit must be completed. The circuit mainly consists of a long avenue that is ridden up and down, with the turning points being the critical points where positioning becomes important. The farthest turning point from the finish is located on the Autopista de Llevant and involves a 180° turn. It’s situated at about 3,3 kilometer from the finish.
The second turning point is more critical as these corners are located in the final kilometer of the race. It involves a complex sequence of 3 turns over approximately 350 meters., starting at 1100 meters from the finish. From the broad Boulevard, the riders will take a gentle right turn, but the road narrows significantly, creating a bottleneck that will stretch out the peloton. The road initially slopes slightly upward before descending. With the last turn being just 630 meters from the finish, it’s crucial to be at the front of the peloton here, as the peleton will be stretched out and it will be difficult to move up if you’re positioned further back than 20th position. This is further influenced by the fact that the final straight is not actually straight, but from 600m to 300m from the finish, it has a slight bend to the right. This means that those sprinting on the right side of the road not only have a shorter distance to cover but also have the advantage that incoming riders will catch more wind (which comes from the left side).
Weather
The weather in Mallorca remains relatively gloomy, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 13°C. Worse, rain is also expected, which will lower the perceived temperature. There is a relatively weak north wind, with speeds up to 13 km/h. On the final stretch, there will be a cross-tailwind coming from the left side, but as mentioned, it won’t be very significant.
Tactics
We’ll likely see the traditional breakaway head up the road, but it’s clear that with so many teams eyeing a bunch sprint, they won’t stand a chance. These breakaways will again be a good opportunity to spot some talent, as was evident in the Trofeo Ses Salinas, where Colby Lange (Project Echelon Racing) managed to resist a chasing peloton the longest.
Last year, it was Intermarché Wanty who came out on top, and with Biniam Girmay, this team has one of the strongest sprinters in the pack. The team’s sprint train didn’t look too sharp in the Trofeo Ses Salinas, but Bini finished second here in 2023 behind Ethan Vernon, so he knows how to handle things in the final of this race.
The most impressive team trains in the Trofeo Ses Salinas were EF Education Easy Post and Uno X Mobility. The former lack their sprinter, Marijn van den berg, who is not on the start list, so I foremost expect the latter to take the initiative here. I believe there’s a fair chance the Norwegian formation, with powerhouses like Erik Resell, Rasmus Tiller, and Amund Grondahl Jansen, will manage to subdue the other sprint trains and make it first through the final corner combination. With two fast sprint options in their ranks, they should be able to finish this off.
Main Contenders
Biniam Girmay (Intermarché Wanty) ✨✨✨✨ Biniam seemed to need a few extra percentage points of power. The lead-out wasn’t ideal either, and on such a finish, that costs you. However, I expect him to be back on the podium here.
Soren Waerenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) ✨✨✨✨Erland Blikra ended up sprinting for Uno-X Mobility, but that was only because Soren lost the wheel of the Uno-X train at the last roundabout. I think he’ll get another chance here and could come close to victory in a power sprint.
Arnaud Demare (Arkéa B&B) ✨✨✨ This is the first race of the season of the French sprinter from Arkéa and he did good here last year, with a 5th spot. It always helps to have done a course already, and I think he’ll be able to secure a podium here, but it will depend a bit on the team as well. Arkea didn’t look too good in Ses Salines on Thursday, with the sprint train disintegrating in the chaos.
Matteo Malucelli (XDS Astana Team) ✨✨✨A ninth place in the Trofeo Ses Salines isn’t a bad result, but more is expected from Matteo. With the team XDS Astana has here, a podium should be possible. They will need to be more organized though than they were last Thursday. I have to admit that I had expected a bit more from the sprint train.
Davide Bomboi (Unibet Tietema Rockets) ✨✨✨The onboard camera footage from his teammate Nielsen was insane, showing how hectic the sprint preparation was. Bomboi fell short, but with his seventh place and a good sprint train, he can achieve a good result here again.
Fernando Gaviria (Movistar) ✨✨With a fifth place in Ses Salines, he showed his good form. Fernando is making his debut in the Trofeo Palma, but on such finishes, he should be able to compete and achieve a good result.
Alberto Dainese (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) ✨✨Alberto wasn’t on form on day one, finishing only 45th, despite claiming to have had a very good winter. He finished sixth here last year, despite excellent positioning in the final corner sequence.
Jarne Van de Paar (Lotto) ✨✨Jarne performed excellently here last year, resulting in a third place. I have no idea about his current form, but the fact that he performed so well here last year should certainly provide him with motivation.[edit : non-starter]Erland Blikra (Uno-X Mobility) ✨✨An excellent sprint in Ses Salines, crowned with a third place, shows he’s in good form. I suspect he’ll take on the role of lead-out rider here, setting up Soren for the sprint.
Max Kanter (XDS Astana)✨✨ Max was ultimately the best Astana rider in the Trofeo Ses Salines, on an uphill finish that suits him well. This finish should theoretically be less to his liking, but given his form and the relatively limited field, he can be expected to perform well again.
Keep an eye on
✨Gleb Syritsa (XDS Astana), Vince Gerits (Team Flanders Baloise), Romet Pajur (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe Rookies), David Dekker (Euskatel-Euskadi), Jules Hesters (Team Flanders Baloise), Rory Townsend (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), Milan Menten (Lotto), Carlos Alfonso Garcia (Petrolike)
The Outcome
A win for Soren Waerenskjold (Uno X Mobility) with Biniam Girmay (Intermarché Wanty) 2nd and Davide Bomboi (Unibet Tietema Rockets) 3th.
