Mireia Benito wins national time trial title

A big surprise on the roads of Sevilla La Nueva, just north of Madrid in Spain. Mireia Benito took home her very first professional win by beating defending champion Mavi García by one second at the national time trial championships. It was a huge surprise, not in the least for Mireia herself.

“It was a big surprise for myself too,” she smiles. “I was not feeling good after Tour des Pyrenees and even felt a bit sick. I had no idea how it would go today. It did mean I had no pressure at all. I just wanted to do my best time trial ever. That was my only goal and not to look at others, just at myself and my performance.

It was a pretty long time trial of 32 kilometers. The first part was all about keeping control because it was slightly downhill. In the second part I went all in.

I am just so grateful for the AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step team. We show with the best equipment and the best support what we can do. I am also grateful to my coach Carlos Fernandez. He was there for me before the race making sure my position was good. He was there throughout the race giving good cues. I didn’t want to hear any other times. I just wanted to focus on my performance alone. When I heard I won by a second and that it all worked out, it was really emotional for me.”