Emma Pooley takes first win of the year

Emma Pooley took her first win of the year in the Emakumeen Saria race in Northern Spain on Tuesday.

Pooley won by almost a minute after some strong work from her AA Drink team mates over the hilly route near Bilboa.

Lizzie Armitstead was fourth, admitting on Twitter that she should have done better in the final sprint, but suggested that getting over two big climbs beforehand was an achievement for her.

Sharon Laws was the third Briton in the top ten, finishing eighth. The group of fifteen chasing riders was lead in by Germany's Charlotte Becker, 54 seconds behind Pooley, Judith Arndt was third.

Nicole Cooke was only 19th, three minutes and 21 seconds down on Pooley. The bunch finished 4-30 minutes behind.

The one-day race is a prelude to the four-day Emakumeen Euskal Bira stage race that starts on Thursday. Pooley won stage 3a last year (a time trial) but the race was dominated by Marianne Vos, who won three stages and the overall.

Tuesday's win will be a big boost for Pooley coming just a few days ahead of Olympic selection.

Related links

British professional road wins 2012

Emma Pooley: Rider Profile