Insausti bags another

Jon Ander Insausti grabbed yet another victory today in Muxika in what is fast becoming a breakthrough season for the youngster.

The 19-year-old bested Caja Rural's impressive South African Johann van Zyl in a two-up sprint at the end of the Trofeo Lehendakari-race in Muxika, Bizkaia. Bidelan-Kirolgi rider Insausti, third last week in the Subida a Altzo hill time trial, escaped along with van Zyl about halfway through the 128,6km race, according to the Basque Cycling Federation's website. The powerhouse duo built up a gap of approximately three minutes, and held off the chasing pack by some 45 seconds.

Lizarte's Rafa Márquez, fourth in last Sunday's Torneo Euskaldun-race in Oiartzun, took the last podium spot on offer ahead of Raúl Martínez of Reyno de Navarra and Basque Caja Rural prodigy Ibai Salas.

Insausti, who, among other triumphs, took out a Lehendakari-race in Antzuola in July and the Gipuzkoan time trial champs earlier in the spring, is attracting the interest of a lot of teams after a stellar season. Judging by Euskaltel DS Gorka Gerrikagoitia's Twitter account, Orbea might be one of them. "Great race by Jon Ander Insausti in San Roman (the race is officially known as the San Román Saria-Muxika). He's at a high level".

Insausti has only participated in six out of 15 races in the Lehendakari series this year though and was lying in 22nd ahead of the race, meaning today's race does little to change the overall rankings. Naturgas rider Jon Larrinaga continues to head the race series, holding an 11-point lead over Debabarrena's Aitor González.

Results:

• 1, Jon Ander Insausti (Bidelan-Kirolgi), 3:25:12
• 2, Johann Abraham van Zyl (Caja Rural), s.t.
• 3, Rafael Márquez (Lizarte), 0:48
• 4, Raúl Martínez (Reyno de Navarra), s.t.
• 5, Ibai Salas (Caja Rural), s.t.
• 6, Eric Altuna (Azysa-Telco'm-Conor WRC), s.t.
• 7, Unai Intziarte (Bidelan-Kirolgi), s.t.
• 8, Cristobal Sánchez (Seguros Bilbao), s.t.
• 9, Alexander King (Koplad-Uni2), s.t.
• 10, Eñaut Pagola (Debabarrena), 1:18

Photo: www.goiena.net