Andrei Grivko, who attacked a breakaway with 25km to go at the one-day Clasica San Sebastian on the Basque coast of Spain, but was recaptured when the changed parcourse turned to favor those who already knew the new topography.

The newly-added Bardako Torror – a short, steep urban hillside that puts the riders into a tricky descent with 7k to the beachside finish in San Sebastian – proved decisive enough for racewinner Alejandro Valverde of Spain take his second title.

Grivko, who rode as part of last month’s winning Tour de France squad, said the physical exertion put out in France over two weeks in defense of the leader’s yellow jersey was the tactical obligation of Astana Pro Team for 17 of 21 stages.

Grivko said his individual ability to dictate a race and respond to tactical maneuvers after four hours in the saddle is a very different skill, but one within his range.

“The final lap was harder this year, but my gap got out to 40 seconds and it felt good,“ he told the Astana webpage.

“After three weeks of working mostly in the first half of a race it’s a bit difficult to get up and start the attacks after 200km.“

The Ukrainian rider said a successful transition usually comes after specific training, and as he spent the last week recovering some of the strength and energy he spent during the Tour de France, the reasonably held form is strong but in the end not so terribly elastic.