Gorka Izagirre prominent in epic Milan-San Remo
Gorka Izagirre showed he's bang on form by finishing inside the first group of favourites behind winner Gerald Ciolek in Milan-San Remo.
In a race that will be remembered in equal measures for its terrible weather conditions and spectacular racing, the older of the Izagirre brothers showed himself worthy of leadership duties at the season's first Monument.
The 25-year-old survived the snow, rain and freezing temperatures that saw part of the race neutralized to form part of the lead group approaching the decisive climbs of Cipressa and Poggio. The Ormaiztegi native was not able to go with the attacks that made the finale of the race such a captivating spectacle, but more than held his own in the company of many of the world's finest Classics specialists.
Click this link to see a miserably cold, but motivated as ever, Ioannis Tamouridis on the bus transfer.
A six-man group containing eventual winner Gerald Ciolek of MTN-Qhubeka slipped away going over the Poggio and, despite the group behind being strong number-wise, the lead group wasn't to be seen again.
The German powerhouse surprisingly ousted pre-race favourite Peter Sagan for the big prize, with third going to Fabian Cancellara.
A 30-man strong first chase group crossed the line 14 seconds in arrears, a group of which Gorka Izagirre (31st) was a part.
"It was my hardest ever day on a bike", Izagirre told the team's website upon finishing the race. "I've neither lived nor seen anything like it. The cold, the snow, the break, the restart... It was on the limit. It was my first Milan-San Remo, I didn't know the route all that well and, to top it off, the race radios didn't work well. I felt a bit lost, but I managed to come in with the first group and I'm of course pleased with that.
"I don't think I'll ever forget this day", he concluded.
Five of the team's eight riders managed to complete the race, with Robert Vrecer, Egoi Martínez and Miguel Mínguez being the three to post DNFs.
Results (full results here):
- (1, Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka), 5:37:20)
- 31, Gorka Izagirre, 0:14
- 62, Ricardo García, 5:13
- 81, Jorge Azanza, 7:49
- 88, Ioannis Tamouridis, 11:19
- 98, Garikoitz Bravo, 11:44
2 comments:
Great ride! I was hoping that he would try his hand on the Poggio but way to be up there with just a select few.
Gorka is definitely OUR best shoot for "Classicas". I think that he's even more suited for a LOMBARDIA. I was expecting the same as azanca02... seeing him trying something in the Poggio's descent... but we have to be absolutely pleased by his performance today.
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