Balearic International Masters Cycling Week Mallorca, 9 -14 October 2006

For the third year running the Masters Tour of Mallorca was graced by the presence of a small group of Rutlers and a few other guest riders. The week is comprised of two single day races, a rest day and then a three day stage race. There are individual race prizes but there is also an overall prize if you ride all five events. Entry fee this year for the whole week was 105 euros, which included a ticket to the Dinner and Prize Presentation at the end of week.

Simon Keeton rode his second Tour in three years whilst Chris Goddard made his first appearance at this year’s race. Chris was that impressed by the race, the organization, and the whole experience of riding a stage race on closed roads that he is already planning ahead for 2007. Any riders over 30 that are interested please get in touch so that he can get a team organized.

Roger Hearsum also rode, but was there in a more supporting role with the help of Miriam, Dave Marsh and the rest of the Universal crew. Local resident Tony Buttterworth also showed his face at the stage start in Palma Nova. Paul Gilbert (Team Marie Curie) made a return to the Tour as did the Nottinghamshire lads, Andy Eagers and Richard ‘Rolo’ Roulstone with help from first time tour riders Simon Day and Paul ‘Bouncy Ball’ Wright.’ Overall it was another excellent week; unfortunately there were no trophies to bring home this year as Mr. Elliott did not ride this year.

The first day’s racing was the “XII Copa de Europa de Masters” which was split into the various age categories. These races were held on the 12km closed circuit along the Arenal seafront, turning inland towards s’Aranjassa, past the airport and then back onto the paved seafront. Roger started his event but had to retire early due to his bottle cage coming lose.

Chris finished 38th in the over 50’s whilst Simon was 19th in the over 40’s.

The second day’s race was the “X Trofeo Internacional de Masters” starting and finishing in Palma Nova. The over 50’s started at 9:30 and did a one lap circuit around Calvia, es Capdellá, Galilea, Puigpenyent, Calvia and finishing on the seafront in Palma Nova. Chris managed a creditable 38th whilst Simon finished 25th in the two lap over 40’s event.

This year the first stage of the 3 day tour started with a 6.5km prologue time trial along the Platja de Palma instead of the normal road race stage of previous years. Warm but quite windy conditions greeted the riders on what was to be a full days racing on the seafront, starting at 9am and continuing ‘til mid-afternoon with riders setting off at one minute intervals. Chris did 10.06 mid morning, to finish 84th, 1min 46secs behind the over 50’s winner, whilst Simon dodged the heavy showers at lunchtime to do 9.21, finishing 95th, 1min 12secs down on the over 40’s winner.

Day two started with heavy rain about the time Chris was due to catch the early morning bus to the start at Santa Magdalena and so he decided to catch up on a few zzzz’s instead (don’t blame him, it was a bit grim at 7am !). By the time Simon was due to start at 11:30 the rain had gone and the sun was beating down again. This year’s second stage started at the top of the Puig de Santa Magdalena and headed out towards Sineu, C’an Picafort, Sa Pobla, Campanet and Buger before finishing at the monastery at the top of the Magadalena. Despite the onset of a sore throat after the prologue time trial Simon finished 44th on the stage.

And so to the final day, the stage started in Sóller, up and out along the coast road to Deiá, Valdemossa, Santa Maria, Bunyola, (a second lap back to Santa Maria for the over 40’s) and then over the Sóller pass to finish down in Port de Sóller. The over 50’s had to endure a few early morning showers, Chris finishing 48th on the stage whilst Simon was 66th in the over 40’s event later that morning.

After five days racing it was back to the hotel to get ready for the bun fight and prize presentation at Es Foguero in Arenal.

Even if you don’t go to race in the Masters Tour, a week in Mallorca in October is an ideal way to wind down at the end of the season. The weather was good all week apart from the odd early morning shower. It was certainly warm enough for shorts and short sleeves all week, more than can be said of the weather back home in October.