Brilliant Etxebarria gives Euskaltel first win

Unai Etxebarria, the veteran of the squad, today claimed the fifth stage of the Vuelta a Mallorca, the Trofeo Calvia. As a result, Euskaltel got their first win of the season, and has gotten of to a great start.

The concluding stage of the five-stage race included, of course, an Euskaltel rider in the main break of the day. Beñat Albizuri broke clear after only three kms, along with Bernhard Eisel and Angel Vallejo. Though the break didn`t go all the way, Beñat racked up point after point in the mountains classification and the metas volantes sprints. Beñat won enough points to come second in the overall mountains classification. After his break was caught, Antton Luengo tried to escape, but only managed so temporarily. After reaching a 20 second lead, he was reeled in, only for Unai to go clear with 1,5 kms to go. Unai, extraordinarily, managed to keep of the chasing Caisse d`Epargne and Rabobank teams to give Euskaltel it`s first win of the season. Just to crown an already perfect day for Euskaltel, Koldo Fernandez came in sixth, once again proving his qualities in mass-sprints. Antton Luengo ended up as best placed Euskaltel rider on the GC, securing a 17th spot.