The ten-lap race had the MULTIVAN MERIDA man putting his back into it from the start, with the need to gain a good position in the pack, given the handicap of having to start from the back. On the second lap, where he was already up with the second group and many of the race favourites, a fall broke his rhythm and pushed him back with the final few. Hermida kept his head up and showed his class by moving up, yard after yard. Hermida raced alone for long stretches, putting his mental stamina to the test, yet his efforts placed him up with the top fifteen. On lap six Hermida once again hit the dirt after making a move on the inside against a pack of four. His efforts were once again frustrated, but never one to give up the fight, Hermida pushed hard, and at a surprising pace. This time, just as his energy was starting to wane, he managed to regain four or five positions and finish twenty-third at the end of the race, and still come out as the Spanish rider with the best final position.