Aitor Hernández races to 10th win in Valencia

Aitor Hernández (Orbea) continued his outstanding year with his 10th win of the season at the Cyclocross International Valencia today but it was a much tighter finish than he has been used to. With Egoitz Murgoitio (Hirumet-Taldea) absent, Hernández was left to contend with two other mainstays in the Basque cyclocross calendar, Javier Ruiz de Larrinaga (MMR-Spiuk) and Spanish Champion Isaac Suarez (BioRacer - Caravanas Erandio). The trio was able to break away on the fast, flat circuit and no one was able to challenge them for the duration of the event.

The trio exchanged furious attacks with Isaac Suarez laying down a ferocious attack with 4 laps to go that distanced his opponents for 2 laps, both Hernández and Larrinaga having to chew on their stems for two straight laps to regain contact. Larrinaga played his hand and showed his return to form by laying down another attack within one lap to go that got him around 6 seconds advantage before fading. The three riders came together at the end and Hernández took the initiative in the sprint, and won handily, beating Larrinaga and Suarez into 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Elite Men (full results here)

•  1, Aitor Hernández (Orbea) 1:00:39
• 2,  Javier Ruiz de Larrinaga (MMR-Spiuk) s.t.
• 3.  Isaac Suarez (BioRacer - Caravanas Erandio) s.t.
• 4. Daniel Guerrero (Cliniconfort - Bicisprint) +50"
• 5. Santiago Armero (BioRacer - Caravanas Erandio) +54"

All of the podium finishers have expressed their condolences for their fallen countryman Iñaki Lejarreta, who tragically passed away after being hit by a car during training.

Photo: RFEC/Orbea