Mentorise Cycling Team Shines at Ziridava Road Race

Another weekend of racing has officially passed, and we're thrilled to conclude the first block of the year’s competitions on a high note. This racing block, which began in Asturias, Spain , has been a journey of relentless effort and outstanding performances. Last weekend, we added another feather to our cap with the Ziridava Road Race in Arad, part of the Romanian National Road Series.

The Race Breakdown

Saturday: Hill Climb Time Trial
The race kicked off with a challenging 4km hill climb time trial from Siria, with an average gradient of 8%. The steep, sun-exposed roads, with gradients hitting 14-15% at times, tested our riders' mettle. Despite the grueling conditions, our boys delivered exceptional performances:

- 🥇 Iustin Vaidian stopped the clock the fastest, claiming the top spot.
- 🥉 Mattew Piciu finished strong, securing third place.

The rest of our male riders followed closely, showcasing their endurance and strategy. On the women's side, our WOMENtoRISE team also gave stellar performances:
- 🥈 Ana Elena Gheorghe finished second in her age group.
- 4️⃣ Daria Gheorghe secured fourth place in her category.

Sunday: Flat Road Race
Sunday’s flat road race, covering 115km with 500m of elevation, was less about terrain and more about tactics. The course didn't facilitate significant splits, nor was the wind a deciding factor. Consequently, the race concluded with a bunch sprint finish, locking in the time gaps established the previous day. Our final results were:

- 🏆 Iustin Vaidian maintained his lead, winning both the GC and Elite categories.
- 🥉 Mattew Piciu clinched third place in the GC and won the U23 category.
- 🥉 Gerhard Moldansky secured a podium finish in the Elite category.
- 4️⃣ Dobrin Ioan finished strong in the U23 category.

For our WOMENtoRISE team, the road race significantly influenced the final GC standings:
- 🥉 Daria Gheorghe moved up from fourth to third place in the women's cadets, thanks to strategic moves in her group.
- 🥈 Ana Elena Gheorghe successfully defended her second place in the women Juniors race.

Celebrating Success and Looking Forward
This was an emotional and rewarding weekend for the Mentorise Cycling Team. The hard work, dedication, and teamwork paid off, yielding impressive results. A special shoutout to all our riders for their tenacity and spirit. We are incredibly proud of each one of you and look forward to continuing this momentum.

Congratulations to everyone involved, and here’s to more victories and podium finishes! Stay tuned as we gear up for the next challenge at the European Cup in Wörgl. 

Photo Credit - Bulzan Radu Photo