Three cyclists from Alicante will represent the province at the European cycling championship, which starts this Thursday in Munich. The first to compete will be track rider Alexander Martínez from San Vicente, followed by Manuel Penalver from Torrevieja, who will race in the road event, and Sandra Alonso, aiming for a top finish in the road test as well. The trio brings high hopes to a championship that gathers Europe’s elite on the continent.
Sprinter Alejandro Martínez will participate in speed disciplines, including the kilometer, individual speed, and Keirin. In his first appearance this Thursday, the Alicante rider celebrated bronze in the kilometer time trial at the Nations Cup in Glasgow and has long been regarded as a key asset for the Spanish sprint squad. His performance in Glasgow, both in the morning qualification and afternoon final, fueled the dream of earning a place on the podium at this edition of the Nations Cup in 2022, a milestone moment that underscored his potential.
Now 24, the Valencian cyclist shows his best form at the Scottish velodrome, with the kilometer time trial among his strongest events. He had already finished fifth at the European Under-23 Championships in 2020 and repeated a top-five finish at the absolute European Championships in 2021, followed by a seventh-place finish at the World Championships the same year. His bronze in Glasgow marks a clear step in the development of Martínez, who is shifting focus toward the European Championships with confidence and determination.
“I always want to show the best version of myself. Stay relaxed, avoid pressure, and apply everything we train. I don’t set a specific result; I feel great, but I’m not sure where I’ll land because the competition is fierce,” the rider told the FER Project site.
Manuel Penalver, representing Torrevieja, will compete in the road race on Sunday. Penalver has recovered from an elbow fracture sustained when a passerby collided with the peloton during the Tour of Turkey in April. The incident altered the sprint stage debate, yet Penalver remains focused on seizing a strong showing at the European Championships. His most recent race, the Burgos Tour, ended with a tough fall that kept him from a potential sprint victory. Now fully recovered, Penalver is directing all his energy toward the continental event.
Torrevieja’s presence in international cycling is well established. Sandra Alonso, the other contender from the region, looks to secure a medal at the European Championships after competing in the Tour de France. She placed 44th in the race, becoming the second Spaniard with the best finish, and will race in the 24-kilometer time trial and the road race on the 17th and 21st of the month in Munich.
Sandra Alonso added to her résumé this year a bronze medal in the Mediterranean Games in the women’s sprint event on an 80-kilometer circuit. She also claimed two medals at the Spanish Elite U23 Championship held in Mallorca, marking a peak in a career that has already seen significant achievements at the age of 23.
Sandra Alonso, pioneer of Alicante cycling
J. A. Galvan
Signing with Ceratizit this year, Sandra became a 13-time Spanish champion across multiple disciplines — road, track, and mountain bike. In 2020 she finished twelfth at the European Road Championships and fourth on the track. Three cyclists from Alicante head to Munich with evident enthusiasm and fitness, aiming to place among the leaders in an event that brings together the continent’s top performers on the circuit.