Gorka Izagirre wins Ordizia - again

Gorka Izagirre has just won the Prueba Villafranca - Clásica Ordizia for a second time.

The 24-year-old capitalized on his excellent post-Tour form to grab a mightily important victory in the team's own backyard, topping the sprint from a four-man group to raise his arms for the first time since he won the same race two years ago. Watch the final seconds of the race below:




It was a thoroughly deserved victory for the team as they controlled proceedings right from the off and never let breaks get too much of a gap. Miguel Minguez set a deadly pace going up the key climb of Albaltzisketa the final time, and Izagirre duly paid his team-mates back by out-sprinting Colombia Coldeportes rider Johan Chaves, Miguel Angel Rubiano of Androni Giocattoli and Movistar's prodigiously talented Costa Rican Andrey Amador.

It was the team's seventh win of the season, and Izagirre's third in all.

"First of all I'd like to thank my team-mates", he said post-race. "It was a very difficult day. We did a great job and I have to thank the whole team. Everyone did an exceptional job.

"Minguez did a great job on the Albaltzisketa. I managed to follow Chaves and the two of us got away.  On the final ascent we were caught by Rubiano and Amador, put I waited before opening the sprint and I judged the effort to the line well".

Away from Izagirre, Gorka Verdugo made a successful comeback from his Tour de France injuries, coming in some six minutes in arrears.

Full results (Orbea riders in cursive):

• 1, Gorka Izagirre, 4:03:17
• 16, Miguel Minguez, 1:16
• 25, Haritz Orbe, 2:25
• 39, Aritz Bagües, s.t.
• 41, Omar Fraile, s.t.
• 48, Mikel Bizkarra, s.t.
• 54, Juan José Oroz, 4:04
• 55, Xabier Zabalo, s.t.
• 56, Ion Izagirre, s.t.
• 57, Mikel Landa, s.t.
• 61, Peio Bilbao, 6:28
• 62, Gorka Verdugo, s.t.
• 68, Igor Merino, s.t.
• 70, Alan Pérez, 7:35
• 71, Iván Velasco, s.t.
• 88, Carlos Barbero, 11:06
• 89, Illart Zuazubiskar, s.t.
• Outside the time limit: Aritz Etxebarria, 20:15

Photo: Iñaki Azanza