Caisse d'Epargne's Luis Leon Sanchez was quickest out of a three-rider selection today in San Sebastian in the Basque Country to take the coveted Summer Classic, the Clasica San Sebastian. Sanchez overcame a tough Alexandre Vinokourov in the final meters to take the convincing win with Cervelo Test Team's former Tour de France winner, Carlos Sastre, rolling in for third, no match for the powerful duo in front of him.
The biggest Spanish one-day race of the year was held on a hilly, 234 kilometer long course that had been restructured for 2010 to include two ascents of the typically decisive climb of the Alto de Jaizkibel (7.8 km at 5.8%), and two trips up the smaller, but still difficult Arkale.
The early going was dictated by the day's long break of Pierre Cazaux (FdJ), Jorge Martin Montenegro (Andalucia), and 2006 Clasica winner, Xavier Florencio (Cervelo). With 150 kilometers covered and about 80 kilometers remaining, the break had around a five minute cushion as it hit the Jaizkibel for the first time. For most, the climb was the first real sorting of the day, but for three riders in the field, it was an opportunity to ride across the dwindling gap: Juan Manuel Garate, Jose Ivan Gutierrez, and Gorka Verdugo.
The first finishing loop completed without too much drama, but the pressure was on, especially from Philippe Gilbert's Omega Pharma-Lotto team. The second and final ascent of the Jaizkibel would prove decisive.
A number of early moves on the climb, notably from Alexandr Kolobnev and Richie Porte, softened things up, until finally, without any real attacking, a select group separated themselves from the rest led by Tour de France 4th place finisher, Samuel Sanchez; Astana's Tour stage and La Doyenne winner, Alexandre Vinokourov; the promising Grand Tour contender from Ireland, Nicolas Roche; Tour de France stage winner Joaquin Rodriguez; and former Tour winner Carlos Sastre.
Right behind, chasing hard, was a group led by the lanky Dutchman, Robert Gesink. Gesink led the charge across the 20 or so second gap to the leaders along with Giro revelation Richie Porte, Tour revelation Ryder Hesjedal, last year's Clasica winner Carlos Barredo, and Tour semi-disappointment, Luis Leon Sanchez.
Almost as soon as the chasers made the juncture, the explosive Luis Leon Sanchez leapt clear of the elite group in the waning meters of the difficult climb. Sanchez immediately gained some open meters between his wheels and the chasers, but he was soon joined by Vinokourov and Sastre. The final selection had been made.
On the road to the final climb of the day, the Arkale, both groups, leading and chasing, cooperated perfectly, engaged in a long, difficult pursuit match. The trio started the final climb of the day with a 40 second cushion, but by the top of the climb, under the impetus of Rabobank's Robert Gesink in the chasing group, the gap had been nearly halved. Unfortunately for Gesink and the chasers, that's as close as they would get. Gesink was forced to do nearly all of the work behind, and one man against three does not often end up well.
The situation was more or less stable as the race headed back into San Sebastian. With 5 kilometers to go, the gap was constant at 20 seconds, but at 3.5 kilometers remaining, on a slight rise, Vinokourov unleashed his much anticipated acceleration. Sastre immediately crumbled as Sanchez rose to the challenge. The two combined and headed onward to a showdown in the final kilometer.
As the final 1000 meter theatrics began between Vinokourov and Sanchez, the slowing allowed for Sastre to return to the front after a desperate chase. In an uncharacteristic move for the normally wily, tough Kazakh, Vinokourov took the reins at the front to lead out the sprint. It would prove to be his undoing, as Sanchez took full advantage of Vinokourov to take the biggest one day victory of his career.
Behind, Radio Shack's returning Haimar Zubeldia, in his first race back since a crash at the Dauphine resulted in a broken wrist, distanced the chasers in the final kilometer to take 4th on the day, 34 seconds behind Sanchez. The chasing group was led home by Joaquin Rodriguez, followed by Ryder Hesjedal, Robert Gesink, Nicolas Roche, Samuel Sanchez, and Richie Porte.
It was a welcome result for the Murcian. A Tour de France that yielded 11th overall and a second place on the huge stage to St. Jean de Maurienne, was nice, but not quite up to the high hopes of the 27-year-old. Sanchez, who has been linked with a transfer to Rabobank for 2011, will move up to 4th on the UCI World Rankings with the victory, while 5th place Joaquin Rodriguez will close the gap to Alberto Contador - the Katusha leader is now 54 points behind the UCI leader, Contador.
2010 Clasica San Sebastian results:
1. Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d'Epargne) 5:47:13
2. Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) s.t.
3. Carlos Sastre (Cervelo TestTeam) s.t.
4. Haimar Zubeldia (RadioShack) @ 34s
5. Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) @ 37s
6. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) s.t.
7. Robert Gesink (Rabobank) s.t.
8. Nicolas Roche (AG2r) s.t.
9. Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) s.t
10. Richie Porte (Saxo Bank) s.t