Aitor Hernández continues breakout season

Aitor Hernández continued his impressive breakout season in Ametzaga today with his 8th win of the cyclocross season at the VIII Trofeo San Andrés Amezaga. Hernández took the race by the scruff of the neck early on and broke away from the field to an impressive solo victory. Today also featured the return of early season star, and hometown favorite, Javier Ruiz de Larrinaga, who had been sidelined for a month with a nagging knee injury following a fall in the race at Muskiz.

On a cool day in Ametzaga, Hernández was able to break away from the pack on lap two and was able to power his way around a relatively dry course. Larrinaga showed that his form is still relatively in tact after his break and was able to break away from U23 rider Jonathan Lastra and Erlantz Uriarte to secure 2nd place, 1'37" down on a flying Hernández, while Lastra was able to beat out Uriarte in a sprint for 3rd place, 1'55" down.

Absent from the proceedings was again Egoitz Murgoitio, who is going to be racing around in and around the famous velodrome at the World Cup in Roubaix, France.

In other races, Maite Murgia was able to dominate the women's race by an astounding 6'47" while Álvaro Carral triumphed in the junior men's race.

Elite Men's results

• 1. Aitor Hernández (Orbea) 1'03'44"
• 2. Javier Ruiz de Larrinaga (MMR - Spuik) +1'37"
• 3. Jonathan Lastra (Hirumet - Taldea) +1'55" (First U23)
• 4. Erlantz Uriarte (Garaje Paco) s.t.
• 5. Josep Besalú (GS Sport) +3'11"

Tomorrow will be the II Telleriarteko Ziklokrossa Legazpia Challenge Federación Vasca in Legazpi, Gipuzkoa. Hernández will be looking for his 9th win of the season, while Larrinaga's start is still tentative because of his knee. In an interview post-race today, Larrinaga stated that he was hopeful to start tomorrow but he did not want to overextend himself.

Photo: RFEC/Orbea