Alexey Lutsenko showcased impressive strength and a competitive edge to take the win at the debut Clasica Jaen Paraiso Interior. The race is a grueling one-day Spanish event highlighted by 40 km of gravel tracks winding through the olive orchards of Andalucia. Lutsenko made his move 50 km from the finish, breaking the peloton apart on the third of seven gravel zones, before attacking once more with 28 km to go.
By creating a substantial gap, Lutsenko forced the remaining chasers to fight amongst themselves for the minor placements. After securing a lead of one minute, the Kazakh rider maintained total control, powering through the unpaved roads and gliding through the final street circuit to victory. This win was a testament to the resilience of the Astana Qazaqstan squad, who pushed through crashes and technical failures to ensure the win.
Tim Wellens, riding for Lotto Soudal, secured the runner-up spot by finishing 53 seconds behind the leader. Loic Vliegen from Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux took third, trailing Wellens by three seconds. Connor Swift of Arkea-Samsic, a former British national champion, finished fourth with a time deficit of 1:28.
The 187.8 km Clasica Jaen proved to be a brutal race of attrition. The first 65 km were particularly demanding, featuring three gravel sectors and several steep climbs. This was followed by a stretch through the valley and a long, grueling gravel ascent, concluding with a 20 km circuit that the riders tackled four times.
The race saw a chaotic moment when a crash took down several Astana Qazaqstan riders. However, they recovered quickly, fighting back to build a two-minute advantage. Lotto Soudal worked hard on the valley roads to reel them in, cutting the lead down to a minute. While Arrieta attempted a solo break, he was eventually caught as the intensity peaked on the gravel climbs.
With 50 km remaining, Lutsenko launched a decisive attack that shattered the race. He demonstrated his clear superiority during the Bayyasa gravel section, intelligently managing his effort to carve out a one-minute cushion. Thanks to steady support from his Astana teammates, he was able to hold his lead until the end.
This brilliant performance marked the 30th professional victory of the Kazakh cyclist's career. In honor of his triumph at the Interior race, Lutsenko was presented with a massive golden olive trophy. Reflecting on the win, he expressed immense pride and happiness to start his season on such a high note, while admitting how physically demanding the race was. He now turns his attention to the Ruta del Sol later this week.