In the Netherlands and Belgium, the After Tour Criteriums take place, where a spectacular show is put on for cycling fans in various villages after the Tour de France. In Spain, they end the cycling year with a huge party: every year, La Nucia hosts the Gran Fondo La Nucia. This year, they once again attracted some amazing riders with exciting and unconventional events.<\/p>\n
Last year, Mathieu van der Poel was there. The Dutchman from Alpecin-Deceuninck was then pitted against a rally car<\/a> on a small criterium circuit. This year, he was not there, so the honor went to Isaac Del Toro<\/a>. The Mexican powerhouse from UAE Team Emirates – XRG, together with Spanish legends Samuel S\u00e1nchez and Pedro Delgado, took on racing driver Miguel Fuster.Last year, Van der Poel managed to beat the car, but this time the riders were less fortunate. Del Toro did his best, but was no match<\/a> <\/a>for the horsepower of the rally monster. Delgado and S\u00e1nchez also fell short. A pity, but at least it produced some great images and more than enough entertainment for the fans!<\/p>\n Read on below the video!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Van Baarle triumphs in criterium<\/p>\n A team time trial was also scheduled. Del Toro and Delgado took on S\u00e1nchez and Lidl-Trek’s top talent H\u00e9ctor \u00c1lvarez. The youngest team won that battle: \u00c1lvarez and S\u00e1nchez beat Del Toro and Delgado. \u00c1lvarez won the final event of the day, the elimination race late in the evening.<\/p>\n There was also a special role reserved for Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot, but as she is recovering from surgery, she withdrew from the cycling events. Nevertheless, she was present at the event, partly because her fianc\u00e9, Dylan van Baarle<\/a>, was also cycling. He took part in the criterium, and with success: he was the best, beating Del Toro and \u00c1lvarez in the sprint.