It has been a very strategic race. Right from the start, Hermida has taken the lead and has put a demanding pace, trying to see if there was a chance to go for a solo win; but the Spanish rider has seen that this was not one of those days and that his reward would come after fighting in a group.

Ralph Näf, his Multivan-Merida team mate, has been able to open a gap and escape from the leading group with an incredible pace, in a very muddy circuit that has changed a lot from Tuesday, after two days of heavy rain. Hermida has stayed in the chasing group with three very dangerous riders: Nijs, Gujan and Milatz. At half of the race, the rider from Puigcerdà has increased his pace and has been able to open a gap over the rest of chasers, just 20” that were very important in such a demanding circuit.

With two laps left, Nijs has got closer to Hermida, almost getting to his wheel, but it was part of the strategy of the Spanish rider; Hermida has slowed down a bit to keep energies and Nijs has made a big effort to catch him. Just when this was about to happen, Hermida has attacked again and has ridden a very fast last lap, going away from the Belgian rider and getting a very important silver medal.

Jose was ecstatic minutes after crossing the finsih line: “I am very happy. This has been a tough battle. From the first lap, nothing worked on my bike due to the mud; but all riders were in the same situation. Ralph was unbeatable today and after getting away from the rest, I have decided to fight for a medal and forget about the title. Somehow I have slowed down the pace in the group; if I could not join Näf in the front, I prefer that a team mate wins, instead of any not-Spanish rider. The fight with Nijs today has been great. We have congratulated each other because we both have given our best. A silver medal is a great prize”.