Bralirwa – Stevens have the biggest contingent but aren’t as well represented at the top of the favorites list. Moser’s Kudus is the one to beat.
Startlist
Spoiler
Debesay
Yacob
Bralirwa - Stevens
Mulubrhan
Henok
Bralirwa - Stevens
Okbamariam
Tesfom
Bralirwa - Stevens
Eyob
Mektel
Bralirwa - Stevens
Tesfatsion
Natnael
Bralirwa - Stevens
Berhane
Natnael
ISA - Hexacta
Habtom
Mikiel
Jura - Fiat
Kudus
Merhawi
Moser - Sygic
Teklehaimanot
Daniel
Red Bull Zalgiris
Amanuel
Meron
Team Puma - SAP
Abraha
Tesfay
Trans Looney Tunes
Habtemichael
Daniel
Xero Racing
32k to go and a lead group of 5, including 3 Bralirwa – Stevens riders plus Berhane have established a 43 second lead. Kudus leading the chase.
Kudus gets some help from Jura domestiques and closes the move down. Over the next hill 10 riders go clear. This time Kudus is in the move. Zalgiris are chasing.
17k to go, one climb left before the finish. Zalgiris are the only pro team not represented in the front 10 and they have the whole team on the front chasing. The gap is 44 seconds.
Work from Okbamariam and Mulubrhan keeps the front group going until a few k from the top of the climb when Habtemichael launches the first attack. Zalgiris unable to close the gap so Teklehaimanot trying to do it solo.
7k to go, Habtemichael’s attack spits out the two Bralirwa domestiques as well as Habtom and Abraha. And Tesfatsion lets a gap go on the descent catching out Kudus who now has to chase.
The front four work well together and still have a 21 second gap over Kudus and Tesfatsion as they hit the base of the final climb. The four are Berhane, Eyob, Amanuel, and Habtemichael.
800 meters and the 4 are still together. Kudus is 19 seconds behind.
100 meters and Habtemichel, who has led the whole way, still has a slight lead.
And the Xero man proves he was the strongest on the day.
Bet this is his second favorite win ever, right after that McCormick Young Rider of the Year award he took in 2019. Berhane and Amanuel complete the podium. Nice team riding by Bralirwa took out Zalgiris and Moser but they can’t finish it.
Results
1
Daniel Habtemichael
Xero Racing
1h16'22
2
Natnael Berhane
ISA - Hexacta
s.t.
3
Meron Amanuel
Team Puma - SAP
s.t.
4
Mektel Eyob
Bralirwa - Stevens
s.t.
5
Merhawi Kudus
Moser - Sygic
+ 33
6
Natnael Tesfatsion
Bralirwa - Stevens
s.t.
7
Tesfom Okbamariam
Bralirwa - Stevens
+ 57
8
Mikiel Habtom
Jura - Fiat
+ 1'06
9
Tesfay Abraha
Trans Looney Tunes
+ 1'12
10
Daniel Teklehaimanot
Red Bull Zalgiris
+ 1'24
11
Henok Mulubrhan
Bralirwa - Stevens
+ 2'57
12
Yacob Debesay
Bralirwa - Stevens
+ 3'11
Time Trial
Zalgiris didn’t have a great road race but they have the defending TT champion in Teklehaimanot and he is one of the favorites.
Habtemichael is the first of the main contenders on the course as he goes for the NC double. His time is the new best, 2’17 better than the prior leader, Mulubrhan.
Kudus the next of the main contenders but no joy for him this weekend as he finishes 2nd, 39 seconds off the Xero rider.
Teklehaimanot is the last man on the course and has Kudus well within his sights as he approaches the finish.
He easily retains hit title, 43 seconds better than Habtemichael.
Eritrean National Championships 
