Murgoitio takes 'cross season opener

Egoitz Murgoitio continued where he left off last season by taking out the Spanish cyclo-cross season opener in style on Saturday.

The Grupo Hirumet Taldea rider was a class above the rest as he triumphed in the first race of the Spanish Cycling Federation's Superprestige race series in San Antolín de Ibias, Asturias. The 29-year-old held off former Euskaltel rider Aitor Hernández by 19 seconds, while former national champ Javier Ruís de Larrinaga of MMR-Spiuk grabbed the last podium spot on offer.

21-year-old Iñigo Gómez took the sub-23 classification, while Felipe Orts won the juniors' race. Roció Gamonal, Hernández's team-mate at Orbea, won the women's race.

Results II MMR CX Experience, Asturias (full results here):

• 1, Egoitz Murgoitio (Grupo Hirumet Taldea), 58:36
• 2, Aitor Hernández (Orbea), 0:19
• 3, Javier Ruíz de Larrinaga (MMR Spiuk), 0:40
• 4, Mauro González (TB Transportes), 0:57
• 5, Jaime Juncal (Aquagest), 1:16

Aitor Hernánez, enjoying a stellar start to his second season in the 'cross field, made up on Sunday for missing out on the big prize the day before, besting Larrinaga to take the first cyclo-cross race of the season on a point-to-point course. The race, held over 53 clicks from San Antolín de Ibias to the Polideportivo de Cerredo, saw Hernández add to his recent victory in the Open Caja Rural de BTT by holding off Larrinaga by approximately half a minute. Third was for veteran road racer and 'crosser Josep Betalú.

Results II MMR CX Experience, 53 kilometres, Asturias:

• 1, Aitor Hernández (Orbea)
• 2, Javier Ruíz de Larrinaga (MMR Spiuk)
• 3, Josep Betalú (GSport - Valencia Terra i Mar)

Photo: www.bhbikes.com