Quick Step domestique Carlos Barredo was the surprise winner of the Clasica San Sebastian on Saturday, outpowering Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) in a two-man sprint for victory.
Barredo and Kreuziger attacked with about three kilometres to go, and the Spaniard then easily outgunned Kreuziger for the biggest win of his career.
France’s Mickael Delage (Silence-Lotto) led home a small group of chasers a few seconds later for third.
Barredo had been in three breaks in the last hour of racing after the bunch shattered on the Jaizkebel climb.
He first attacked with Pierrick Fedrigo (Bbox Bouygues Telecom), then with Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d’Epargne) before finally going clear with Kreuziger.
Barredo’s victory was unexpected – his previous best win was a stage in Paris-Nice 2008 – but numerous crashes in the final hour as heavy rainstorms soaked the bunch left the race wide open and out of control. One of Spain’s few Classics specialists, Barredo was quick to take advantage.
It was also good news for Quick Step following their dismal Tour de France where the Belgian squad did not win any stages and was rarely in contention.
RESULTS
Clasica San Sebastian, 237km
1. Carlos Barredo (Spa) Quick Step in 5-36-59
2. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas
3. Mickael Delage (Fra) Silence-Lotto at 7secs
4. Peter Velits (Svk) Milram
5. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Slipstream
6. Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Katusha
7. Christophe Riblon (Fra) Ag2r
8. Serguei Ivanov (Rus) Katusha
9. Ruben Perez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
10. Marco Pinotti (Ita) Columbia-HTC all same time
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