British neo-pro Andy Fenn claimed his first professional win – in only his second race – with victory at the Trofeo Palma in Mallorca.
The 21-year-old Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider, who began his pro career at the Tour Down Under, outsprinted Andre Schulze (NetApp) and Alexander Porsev (Katusha).
“I’m ecstatic,” said Fenn. “I’ve been dreaming of a victory like this. The team did some extraordinary work. In the last three laps we took charge of the race. In the final Matteo Trentin carried me splendidly and I managed to win. It’s my first success as a pro; the joy is indescribable. I can’t wait to share it with my team mates this evening.”
Thirteen riders escaped from the front of the peloton early in the race, held over 10 laps of a 11.6km course around Palma’s harbour.
The break held a 45 second advantage with five laps remaining but the sprinter’s teams soon took hold on the pan-flat course – and Fenn, who claimed bronze in last year’s world under-23 road race, underlined his potential with a dream victory.
Alberto Contador finished in the bunch and will now fly back to Madrid to learn the verdict of his Court of Arbituration for Sport hearing, with a decision as to the Spaniard’s fate expected on Monday.
Trofeo Palma is the first event of Challenge Mallorca, a series of four one-day races held on the Spanish island.
