Sandra Alonso shines again in Madrid and fights time on the clock
Sandra Alonso is back among the top performers in Spain’s time trial scene. A bronze medal in the national time trial held in Madrid marks another strong showing for the Torrevieja rider. The individual ride against the clock remains one of cycling’s most demanding tests, where every second counts and focus is everything. The 24-year-old cyclist from Torrevieja had faced a sudden setback in early April after a dramatic fall in Paris-Roubaix left her with a broken collarbone, requiring surgical repair. Yet she bounced back with grit, racing to reclaim ground and reestablish her presence on the podium. The comeback narrative is compelling and underscores the resilience required at the highest levels of the sport.
Catalan rider Mireia Benito emerged as the Spanish time trial champion, edging out favorite Mavi García by a single second on a 32-kilometer loop through Seville la Nueva. García, who rides for Liv Racing TeqFind, entered the race as the strong favorite to capture a fifth national time trial title, and her campaign this season has often seen her pushing the pace in pursuit of a dramatic win on the route she knows well.
The record-setting finish crackled with tension as Benito posted a blistering 43:21, narrowly beating García who stopped the clock at 43:20 on the flat profile course. The tight margin highlighted how even a small advantage can decide the outcome on a route that rewards precision, consistency, and exponentiation of power across the kilometers. This result captured the attention of fans who follow the nuances of time trial strategy and the way riders manage cadence on flat to gently rolling terrain.
Sandra Alonso, riding for Ceratizit-WNT, had previously regained her health after the collarbone fracture sustained in Paris-Roubaix and added a podium finish to her season by placing third in a stage of the Internationale Lotto Thüringen Women’s Tour. The day’s results also crowned Idoia Eraso in the Sub23 category, reaffirming her hold on the Spanish time trial title, followed by Nahia Imaz and Eneritz Vadillo in second and third respectively. The elite standings listed Benito first, García second, and Alonso in third, followed by Sheyla Gutiérrez and Sara Martín, with Lourdes Oyarbide and other contenders rounding out the field.
The day’s events also offered insights into the broader picture for Spanish women’s cycling, as new champions in the junior and development categories continue to rise and contribute to a richer national narrative. Performance across the field demonstrated that the women’s time trial scene is evolving, with young talents stepping forward and seasoned riders adapting to a fast-changing competitive landscape. The overall competition underlined the depth of talent in Spain and the ongoing pursuit of national prestige in time trials.
Sandra Alonso later reflected on her approach to racing and training. She emphasized that consistent study of performance and strategic planning are crucial, but victory is not the sole objective. Her mindset focuses on long-term development, steady improvement, and the discipline required to stay competitive at the elite level without becoming overwhelmed by immediate results.
In a separate showcase, Jonathan Castroviejo was crowned Spanish time trial champion for the sixth time. He triumphed after a race where Juan Ayuso, one of the sport’s brightest prospects, finished fourth due to a late mechanical issue. Ayuso faced a bike malfunction when a chain problem occurred after hitting a bump, costing valuable seconds and preventing a podium finish. Castroviejo’s consistent performance across years underscores the depth of Spain’s time trial tradition and the ability of seasoned riders to adapt quickly under pressure.
Reflecting on the previous season, Raúl García Pierna, who rides for Kern Pharma Team, also encountered a mechanical setback that affected his championship defense and his time to challenge for leadership. The sport’s unpredictable nature—where equipment issues can tilt outcomes in an instant—remains a central storyline each year, reinforcing the importance of reliability and composure on race day.
These narratives illustrate how aging experience and fresh talent intersect in Spanish cycling. The season’s results contribute to the ongoing discussion about why some riders excel in time trials by combining power, aerodynamics, and mental focus, while others rise through perseverance and smart recovery from injuries. Fans appreciate how a single second or a strategic pedal stroke can redefine a rider’s trajectory and fuel their next ascent in the sport.
The overarching message from Madrid to Seville is that time trial success is a blend of physical capability, technical skill, and the ability to maintain poise under pressure. As teams analyze the data from these races, athletes and coaches alike identify opportunities to optimize training, equipment, and race-day decisions, ensuring that every new edition of the national championships adds another layer to Spain’s storied cycling narrative.
Note: all information reflects the results and performances observed during the national and regional time trials and subsequent assessments by teams and media outlets covering the event. Attributions are credited to race organizers, team press releases, and on-site reporting to provide context for the results and the athletes involved.