There couldn't have been a better finish to Movistar Team's performance in the biggest week of Basque cycling.
The telephone squad claimed its 8th success of the 2013 season on Sunday in the 59th Klasika Primavera, over 171km in and around Amorebieta.
Portuguese rider Rui Costa beat Spaniard Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel) in a 20-man field sprint after Beñat Intxausti (Movistar) and Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff), protagonists of a strong break through the final circuit, with the climbs of Muniketa and Autzagane being passed three times, were caught on the finishing straight.
Going into the last descent Intxausti and Contador enjoyed a small lead, the Basque rider always leading the duo, but the bridge was gapped due to a strong and determined effort by the Euskaltel squad. As Intxausti and Contador were reeled in, Rui Costa was free to sneak out of Urtasun's wheel in the final metres to claim his 13th pro victory and the third in just four days' time -after the two claimed by Quintana in the Vuelta al País Vasco- for Movistar Team, which also put Intxausti (4th) and Herrada (5th) inside the race's top five.
“It was an exciting victory,” said Costa afterwards. “I'm really happy since it's my first this season. The recovery after my crash in Paris-Nice was fast; I felt well already before País Vasco, where I had a good progression day by day, and today I could make it count with this win. The team's strategy was the two of us, Beñat and me, going after the attacks in the final climbs, and he responded when Contador made his move. That's why I waited calmly for the group to bridge the gap in the finale. Euskaltel was pushing behind and I followed Urtasun's wheel to look for my chances in the sprint. Once Beñat and Contador were caught, I waited until the final 50 metres to jump and overcome him. After yesterday's victory with Nairo, notching up another success here is something important for the team and also for myself - now I can leave my injury behind. I thank all my team-mates for the work they did for me - this victory is dedicated to them.”
Klasika Primavera Top 10:
1. Rui Costa (Movistar) 4:07.58
2. Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
3. Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff)
4. Beñat Intxausti (Movistar)
5. José Herrada (Movistar)
6. Rory Sutherland (Saxo-Tinkoff)
7. Eduard Prades (OFM Quinta da Lixa)
8. Julien El Fares (Sojasun)
9. Edson Calderon (Colombia)
10. Shalunov Evgeny (Lokosphinx)
Shao Yung CHIANG 40 years | today |
Jorge CASTEL 36 years | today |
Ahnad Fuat FAHMI 31 years | today |
Simone CARRO 24 years | today |
Jay DUTTON 31 years | today |
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