A dozen and counting for Hernández

Aitor Hernández was in a league of his own as he romped to his twelfth triumph of the year on Saturday in Treto, Cantabria.

The win was never in question as the Ermua-Orbea rider went solo early on and held on to win by a comfy 1:13 ahead of the seemingly never-tiring Constantino Zaballa, who's set for a return to the European road peloton in 2013.

The race also counted as the regional champs, meaning Zaballa could raise his arms aloft despite crossing the line in second. Zaballa held off reigning national champ Isaac Suárez for the title and for second in the race, while Agustín Navarro and Kevin Suárez closed out the top five.

Hernández was of course not in the running for the crown of regional champion, but will hope to win the Basque equivalent in Ormaiztegi on Sunday the 30th of December.

Results (full results, courtesy of BiciCiclismo, here):

1. Aitor Hernández (Ermua-Orbea), 56:57
2. Constantino Zaballa (Zugor-Bikes), 1:13
3. Isaac Suárez (Bio Racer/Caravanas Erandio), 1:58
4. Agustín Navarro (Ciudad de Oviedo), 2:05
5. Kevin Suárez (Bio Racer/Caravanas Erandio), 3:31 - First sub-23
6. José Antonio Díez Arriola (Bikezona.com), 4:14
7. Erlantz Uriarte (Ibaigane Opel), 4:28
8. Asier Arregi (Bizikleta.com), 4:30
9. Júlen Zubero (Ciclos Zubero), 1 lap
10. Alberto Sainz (MTB Ramales), 3 laps

Kevin Suárez was best of the sub-23s, Álvaro Carral best of the juniors, while Jon Gil was the top cadete on show. Lucía González as expected took out the women's elite race, while, equally unsurprisingly, her sister Alicia came away with the junior crown. 

Photo: Iñaki Azanza