It doesn't make sense" - Alexandre Vlasov laments Downhill final at Challenge Mallorca

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It doesn't make sense" - Alexandre Vlasov laments Downhill final at Challenge Mallorca

Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora Hansgrohe) complained about the finale of the Trofeo Serra Tramuntana, claiming that the final descent to the rucksack was an unnecessary and dangerous addition to the course.

The Russian spoke after his second near miss in Challenge Mallorca. After being outprinted by James Shaw in Wednesday's Trofeo Calvia, he had to settle for second place behind Renate Van Etveld (Lotto Destony) in the three-up sprint here.

"I want to say it was a shitty finish. Why do it in the downhill? Vlasov told Eurosport after the race. 'I rode the last five kilometers without pedaling.

Vlasov accelerated furiously on the Puig-Major climb and opened up the victory with Van Eotveld and Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) in tow.

After a short false flat, the road descended another 5 km to the rucksack, where Vlasov questioned his inclusion on the course.

"It makes no sense. If you look at the last 5 km, we went down without pedaling so as not to take any risks. But if 10 people were running at full throttle to kill themselves ...... He said.

Vlasov was not unhappy with the outcome of the race and admitted that he was backed into the last corner before the sprint.

"The climb was good, but I made a big mistake at the finish. 'I probably waited too long. But my legs were good and that's the most important thing."

Vlasov has started his third season with Bora-Hansgrohe well and will be among the favorites to win next week's Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, which he won in 2022. 27-year-old will be a key part of Primoš Roglic's defense at the Tour de France in July. He will be a key defender.

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