Challenge Mallorca, 5 x Cat 1.4

Spain, February 7-11, 1999

1998 results     Past Winners    

  • Stage 1 - Sunday, February 7, Palma - Palma, 80 kms:
  • Stage 2 - Monday, February 8, Manacor - Manacor, 168.5 kms:
  • Stage 3 - Tuesday, February 9, Soller - Port de Soller, 145.5
  • Stage 4 - Wednesday, February 10, Cala Bona - Cala-Rajada, 166.5 kms:
  • Stage 5 - Thursday, February 11, Miramas - Béziers, 219 kms:
  • Stage 6 - Friday, February 12, Magalluf - Magalluf, 141 kms:

Preview

The Spanish cycling season begins with the Challenge Mallorca which runs from February 7-11. In contrast to last year and contrary to normal weather conditions at this time of year, the island has experienced winter conditions over the last day. On Monday, the Rabobank team arrived and they were confronted with 15 cm deep snow. On Wednesday, the TVM with Van Petegem and co arrived. Van Petegem said: "It is true that the weather has improved a bit but it is still nothing like that nice weather we had last year." Meanwhile, the success of Frank Vandenbroucke in the opening race on the French Riviera, GP l'Ouverture) has given the Belgians some early hope for a good season overall. In Mallorca, all the big riders and sprinters have assembled. Zabel, Cipollini, Ullrich, Riis, Olano, Blijlevens, Sörensen, Jalabert to name a few are participating. Another major source of interest is the presence of Frank Vandenbroucke and Johan Museeuw who after nearly 10 months of inactivity will be making his return to road racing. Museeuw said: "Don't expect too much. I will be just seeing how I am. How ready I am for the season. But I am coming back in a support role and I am a month too early."

Meanwhile, the UCI has indicated that the international cycling calendar should not be too full in February. A stage race in this period remains a thorn in the eyes of Hein Verbruggen. Mallorca however will remain in its traditional format of 5 separate races with a GC for riders who race in each stage. A rider can drop out of a stage and re-start next day. The word is that if the riders wake up on Sunday and find cold weather many will remain in their hotel and avoid the 80 criterium. All will be able to start on Monday.

Past Winners

1992 Javier Murguialday (Spa)
1993 Laurent Jalabert (Fra)
1994 Francisco Cabello (Spa)
1995 Alex Zülle (Sui)
1996 Francisco Cabello (Spa)
1997 Laurent Jalabert (Fra)
1998 Léon Van Bon (Ned)
Past Winners by Mario Stiehl, Berlin