Rojas, one step behind top field
30 July 2011

The Spaniard, 15th, braved it out until final climb to Arkale with the favorites of Clásica San Sebastián, but failed to enter the ten-rider group that finally opted to victoryThe 31st edition of the Clásica San Sebastián fulfilled the most common script of the Basque classic. A TV-break that stays ahead until second climb to Jaizkibel, where the peloton loses many riders and, finally, Arkale ascent, where a small group of favorites battle for the victory with 10 kms from the finish. The main goal of Movistar Team was trying to hold out with his team leader, José Joaquín Rojas, and the Spanish champion was close to achieve it.

Rojas was able to enter the lead group at the beginning of Jaizkibel descent, and he also saw that his teammates Sergio Pardilla and David López managed to be there. Both tried unsuccessfully to keep the small bunch together in the short but hard climb to Arkale. The slight differences at the summit of the Guipuzcoan mountain were increased in the descent, where a ten-man group made their way -with Gilbert (OLO) again as the winner- and in whose pursuit Rojas group insisted but ended up throwing in the towel with five kilometers to go.

Tomorrow, another opportunity for Movistar Team to score its 19th win of the season in a renovated Circuito de Getxo, which changes his final to the selective slope of Txomintxu, where it will be the finish line of the Basque classic. Ventoso, Intxausti, Sanz, Iriarte and Iván Gutiérrez will join Lastras, Herrada and López to show from 9.30 hours (170 km) the telephone squad jersey.