Hermida is not one to lack energy at this time in the season, but the 25º centigrade temperatures at the outset of the race and high humidity levels – meaning the additional sensation of higher temperature ended the race early for Hermida and many other cyclists.

Hermida began as always by letting others take the initiative, while constantly monitoring the moves of Sauser, Vogel, Kesiakoff and Absalon on the first circuit. On the second circuit, French rider Peraud, Hermida and others began to put pressure on Absalon and initiate their strategy to defeat the Swiss. The third circuit was however crucial for the current Spanish cross country champion when he mysteriously lost all energy and began to reduce pedalling power, allowing the group of Killeen and Soukup to catch up and eventually pass him. Hermida lost places to end up in ninth position and was racing side by side with Iñaki Lejarreta. On the fourth circuit first Peraud and soon after Hermida lost all energy. Without any strength left to continue Hermida got off his bike and thus ended his participation in the world cup competition. Absalon went the same way soon afterwards.

Hermida gave his opinions on the race when he arrived at the finishing area. “I was suddenly running on empty. It was me, not a mechanical problem or anything like that. I wasn’t going too well, but not too badly either, in a chaser group when I suddenly noticed that I was racing badly. I was with Iñaki for a while to see if I could recover until I finally lost all energy. The truth is that I don’t know why. I will have to look into what happened. Maybe I’ve been racing a lot and I have to rest. But it’s not normal for me to be out of the race so quickly. I guess I might have to change something in my training schedule as although I always want to do as well as I can in a world championship I am training for the Olympic Games.”