The MGUCI has introduced a new rule wherein local amateurs are invited to participate in the National Championships of all countries along with the Professional riders. I will follow the exploits of the professionals as they attempt to win their country's National Championships.
He was caught with 14 km to go and the pack mostly still together.
Iberia leading the peloton onward as we enter the final 5 kms. Hugo-Boss also with a presence at the front.
Sanchez Gil places an attack with 3 km left. Bilbao is leading the Hugo train. Barrio and Valls are the others who are best placed for the moment. Ion Izagirre and Tenorio are very poorly placed.
Sanchez Gil is tiring with 2 km to go. Barrio and Valls look to be taking advantage. Hugo-Boss have five riders in contention. Jose Herrada is making his presence felt on the left.
Valls has cracked. Tenorio has moved up a long way in the last 500 meters. Bilbao is the best placed Hugo-Boss rider. Barrio is still in contention. 1.5 km left.
The top 4 are away as we cross the Flamme Rouge. Sanchez Gil seems to have recovered.
Barrio has been distanced with 800 meters remaining.
Sanchez Gil has started losing ground but is still digging in.
Bilbao goes into the lead with 300 meters left.
And Bilbao wins! He was too strong in the sprint for his rivals. Sachez Gil holds on for second from Tenorio.
Verona flies through the course, setting a time of 1h8'57". That is a very fast time set already!
Ion Izagirre goes 2nd, but 1'35" down.
Benito is slower still, 3rd at 1'56".
Abal slides into 2nd with a time 58" down.
Intxausti goes into 3rd. He's 1'20" off the best time.
Fraille does not trouble his teammate's time, only good for 4th place at 1'31" slower.
Gonzalez Salas gets close but it's not enough. He stops the clock 16" slower, but does move into 2nd.
Tenorio is the last rider on the route. He posts a disappointing time in the end, and cannot live up to his top favourite booking. He ends 5th, 1'29" down.
