Bilbao goes close in Gorla

Pello Bilbao so nearly grabbed Naturgas' first win of the year yesterday in the Subida a Gorla. The Subida a Gorla is a prestigious one-day race being held in and around the Basque town, or village if you like, of Gorla. As the name suggests it concludes with a climb to the top of Gorla. Naturgas were the main protagonists all day long, and a win would be their just reward for their excellent showing. They placed two riders, Mikel Bizkarra and Aitor Ocampos, in the main break of the day. Bizkarra wasn't happy with the pace, though, and went on a bold solo attack towards the end of the race. The trio of Pello Bilbao, eventual winner Jesús Herrada and Victor Cabedo eventually caught up with him on the steep ramps. Cabedo was dropped fairly quickly, and Herrada and Bilbao were left to fight it out for the win, the former taking it by a few inches in a very, very tight finish. Tough luck, but still a great ride by the youngster. Herrada, though, was the victor, and got to join such illustrious names as Contador, Cabestany, Garate, Intxausti, Gorospe and Joaquín Rodriguez, to name but a few, on the winner's list.