Pello Bilbao took second place at the Klasikoa San Sebastian on Saturday, in a tight sprint to the line with Belgian, Remco Evenpoel (Soudal-Quickstep). What a month it has been for Pello; finishing 6th at the Tour de France less than a week ago (including a stage win), and now just a single bike length behind the reigning Vuelta & World champion at ‘Donostia’.
On the final climb Bilbao and Evenpoel left their last rival, Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora), behind. After the descent of the Murgil Tontorra and 3kms of flat, the two were side by side with just a few metres remaining. Our Basque rider was in front, but Evenpoel came from behind to break Basque hearts.
73 kms from the finish, on the Erlaitz, the eventual top three went away with Alberto Bettiol (EF). Working well together they soon quashed any hopes the peloton had of winning the Txapela, despite a strong chasing group. When Remco increased the pace on the steepest and most daunting sections of Murgil, Vlasov couldn’t hold on, but Bahrain’s Bilbao would not be shaken off.
And so, with Basque fans goning wild for their local hero as the one day race came to a climax, Pello tried to follow when his rival jumped, but after 3 weeks of racing in France in his legs, he couldn’t quite take the top step of the podium. That notwithstanding, there is no doubt he is in the form of his life.
Afterwards Bilbso reflected:
«The race was done from far. We know that Remco likes to move early, and we were prepared there for the steep climb in Erlaitz. After we made a small group, we collaborated in a good way. Remco was also giving everything. I tried to change the rhythm in the last steep climb, I went alone, but Remco had a bit more energy in the legs. He was fresher than me. I could feel this when he changed the pace in the last few kilometres. It was not possible to beat him in a sprint but anyway, I am proud of the work done in the last weeks, and it’s been a super intense and great experience.«
After the race, lead Sports director Neil Stephens commented:
«We are really happy with the result today. Right from the start, we knew it would be a hard day. We decided to go to work reasonably early with Jonathan Milan. Pello was great. He moved with the best riders at the time. Even Mikel Landa was there at the point. He was just about to go into that final move but from there on, he just played the protective role in the back, making sure that no dangerous moves went over where Pello was. Tactically Pello did a outstanding job. He reduced the lead group so that just two riders fought at the finish. Pello sprinted against probably one of the strongest bike riders in the world. 2nd place for us is a fantastic effort. We know we have given everything we have got. We walk away from here with no doubts, and we couldn’t have done anything more. I am super happy that Pello was able to run 2nd at Klásicoa San Sebastian, a World Tour race in his home country, the Basque Country. The team is super proud.«
From Spain to France, where Nicolò Buratti is competing at the stage race Kreiz Breizh Elites with the Italian National team. The 22-year-old sprinter won stage 2 (Calanhel-Priziac, 209.3km), outsprinting his breakaway companions and claiming the leader’s jersey.
“I’m pleased with this victory! It was a demanding, wet and long day on the saddle. We were riding in Bretagne, on a course similar to Belgian races, with narrow up-and-down roads. On halfway, I attacked, and a small group of about ten riders formed after my action. Then, we pushed further with the other two riders and stayed out in the final 70-80km, working very well together. In the finish, I managed to be the strongest of the trio.
I’m riding in France to prepare for the World Championships, and this is a good test for the legs and an excellent result to gain confidence.”
