Aberasturi pipped in Alentejo

Jon Aberasturi went agonizingly close to a win on the fourth and final stage of the Volta ao Alentejo earlier on Sunday. The former Naturgas product was only bested by Efapel's Filipe Cardoso in the mass sprint in Grândola.

The 23-year-old ended up fourth on GC, having finished top ten on every single stage. The team's next best rider was Carlos Barbero in 29th, but perhaps of greater importance was the fact that Xabier Zabalo got through all four stages in one piece. The likeable 24-year-old finished the race ranked 117th.

Stage results:

• (1, Filipe Cardoso, Efapel)
• 2, Jon Aberasturi, s.t.
• 30, Aritz Etxebarria, s.t.
• 32, Carlos Barbero, s.t.
• 52, Aritz Bagües, 0:07
• 56, Illar Zuazubiskar, s.t.
• 77, Omar Fraile, 0:50
• 100, Xabier Zabalo, 3:18
• 101, Haritz Orbe, 3:18

Final general classification:

• (1, Alexey Kunshin, Lokosphinx)
• 4, Jon Aberasturi, 0:08
• 29, Carlos Barbero, 1:21
• 44, Aritz Bagües, 2:09
• 89, Illart Zuazubiskar, 14:57
• 91, Aritz Etxebarria, 16:22
• 95, Haritz Orbe, 18:38
• 116, Omar Fraile, 28:31
• 117, Xabier Zabalo, 28:48