Greg Van Avermaet's eighth-place finish was best for the BMC Racing Team Saturday at Clasica San Sebastian. On the final 2.5-kilometer climb of the 219-km race, Van Avermaet lost contact as a number of riders attacked.

"It was a bit hard to go with the best guys, but I did a good tempo to try to do a good result in the end," Van Avermaet said. "I was not so far behind on the top so I tried to come back on the descent."

Race winner Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) made his move on the descent, distancing himself from a small group that crested the climb 7.3 km from the finish. He soloed in 14 seconds ahead of runner-up Bauke Mollema (Belkin Pro Cycling) and third-placed Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha Team) to win for the second time since 2008.

Van Avermaet arrived 40 seconds later. BMC Racing Team Sport Director Yvon Ledanois said the addition of the final climb – a change from past editions – changed the complexion of the race.

"It is totally different now with this climb," Ledanois said to the BMC website. "It is better suited for the climbers. So a top 10 for Greg was good."