Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deschunink) claimed overall victory in the second edition of the Madrid Criticium after winning the road race and finishing second in the elimination race.

The world champion appeared from a group of 1000 riders on the Calle Gran Vía Circuit to win the road race in front of a crowd estimated at 6 people. Spanish stars Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) and Omar Freire (Ineos Grenadier) finished in 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

It was the first time in his professional career that van der Poel had raced in Spain.

"I'm really very happy to be here with so many people. I enjoyed it and the atmosphere was good. The course was difficult, very short and intense," van der Poel told the media after the event.

Last year's winner Tadej Pogañar did not participate in the event, but his UAE team Emirates teammates Ayuso and Marc Soler started for 25 parade laps in the city center and Carlos Verona.

Sánchez, who is retiring at the end of 2023 after a 20-year professional career, has included 47 UCI wins and 31 grand Tour appearances for the Rice Spanish stalwart Palmares, who rode his bike in honor as he headed to the starting line.

"It was one of the most special moments of my career 1," Sanchez told Marca.

To please the fans, Sanchez held on the same course ahead of Van der Poel and Lascano before the road race Elimination Race

In the celebration of cycling, fans gathered at the Spanish football stadium with Van der Poel at Plaza del Cara on Sunday morning. Cycling legend Alberto Contador lined up to get autographed autographs.