Armitt takes the positives out of testing Queen stage at Valenciana

A big day out on the Queen stage of the Volta à la Comunitat Valenciana saw Scottish climber Hamish Armitt dig deep for Team Novo Nordisk with the 23 year old enjoying the test on climbs he’s come to know well.

The most difficult day of the race packed in five categorized climbs including the fearsome Alto del Miserat over 172km of racing around one of the most famous cycling areas in the world.

Armitt like many of the competing riders was familiar with the roads due to the area being home to many pro teams winter training bases. Yet familiarity with the climbs do not make them any less challenging and the young Scot battled hard with his teammates as the contenders lit up the final kilometers out front while the mere mortals focused on finishing.

“It’s really nice to know the area and climbs,” said Armitt. “But unfortunately so does everyone else! It’s a great first race to do after training camp as you just gain so much fitness from it because it’s so hard and I never want to ride up that Miserat climb ever again. Well not until next year anyway.”

“I took a tumble in training the day before the race started and the first three stages I was suffering rather than easing myself in, but I was actually feeling better today…in spite of the result. It is really good to get a day like today in the legs in our first race and I am happy to have come through the stage.”