Blues make it 1-2 in Amorebieta
10 April 2016

Klasika Primavera

Movistar Team wins with Visconti, adds Gorka Izagirre's 2nd to an overall brilliant result in the Klasika Primavera, after big domestique work from Alejandro Valverde (4th) in the end of the 'holy week' in Basque cycling

Movistar Team dominated again the Klasika Primavera de Amorebieta in its 62nd edition, claiming their eighth win of the 2016 season and showing that its whole block can shine, no matter the type of race they tackle. Giovanni Visconti crowned a four-man break starting into the first of three Montecalvo ascents. Alejandro Valverde and Gorka Izagirre joined Pardilla (CJR), with the Italian bridging up to the front a few kilometers later, to go on a 60-kilometer move that eventually brought 'Visco' its first win in three years -2013 Giro d'Italia- and his second in the Basque race.

“I've got to say this is a huge victory for me," declaraba Giovanni. "It might not be a WorldTour race, but to me, it means even more than a top-tier one. It's already three years since I don't win, and it's an immense joy and something that keeps me motivated for the upcoming races. It had been a demanding week in the Itzulia, but still one I had got big results on, while also being able to support Nairo on his podium finish. I hope to continue this way."

Second-placed finisher Gorka Izagirre explained further on the day's racing: “What can we say! It was a demanding race, but one that we managed perfectly. We didn't want to take that much responsibility in the beginning, saving some energy for the end, but we didn't want to see big breaks going away either. We couldn't let riders from Caja or Murias take advantage. It took almost hundred kilometres before the escape was established, and that made the race quite harder than in previous years.

“At the first climb we put on a high pace, with Bala, ‘Pardi’ and myself opening a gap, and Visco joined us shortly afterwards. Pardilla was interested on keeping the gap, or so I think – we got on well with each other since we all have ben team-mates now or in the past. To be honest, Alejandro [4th in the race, behind Pardilla – ed.] did a tremendous job so Visco and I could stand a bigger chance. It really hurt us Ion and myself not to be at the Itzulia, but that's history: cycling brings you some joy after suffering, and we must keep looking forward to the future," the Basque allrounder said.

Result

Picture ©: Photo Gomez Sport / Luis Ángel Gómez