Renshaw earns another victory for Blanco
Second win for Australian since transitioning from lead-out man
Mark Renshaw (Blanco Pro Cycling) has claimed his first victory of the 2013 season, 10 months and one day shy of his last stage win. The Australian took out the Clásica de Almería in Spain, ahead of Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (Team Argos-Shimano) and Francesco Lasca (Caja Rural).
It was at last year's Tour of Turkey that Renshaw earned his first win since transitioning from Mark Cavendish's lead-out man, signing with Rabobank in what proved to be a frustrating season. He went on to earn eight podium placings but admitted to Cyclingnews earlier this year that 2012 did not live up to his expectations.
Renshaw however was full of praise for his teammates following the win on Sunday.
"Today was again a collective victory," the 30-year-old said, the team's eighth victory for the season.
"During the team meeting we agreed to try and keep it together for a sprint. The whole day I had Juan Manuel Garate and David Tanner who protected me. On the climbs were always Robert Gesink, Bauke Mollema, Wilco Kelderman and Laurens ten Dam, who ensured that there were no attacks off the front of the group. Stef Clement responded constantly to escapes. It was impressive to get help from these men."
Sunday's win capped off a successful weekend for Blanco, with Mollema claiming second place in Saturday's Vuelta a Murcia behind Daniel Navarro (Cofidis).
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!