Txoperena claims road silver

No one could prevent Mario González of Cantabria in taking gold in the sub-23 road race on Friday, but Beñat Txoperena stayed with him right to the end.

González, third in the time trial earlier this week, was not to be denied in the road race, crowning a breakthrough season with the national title. The Café Baqué-Conservas Campos rider was aggressive all day and made his winning move along with Gipuzkoa-Eki Sport's Beñat Txoperena with some 20 clicks to go.

The duo were left to fight it out mano a mano, and González easily came out tops. 21-year-old Txoperena, representing the region of Navarra, had to make do with silver, while Óscar Hernández of Valencia grabbed the last medal.

The Basque selection was suspiciously absent throughout, Ibai Daboz the team's top finisher in 33rd.

Results (full results here):

1. Mario González (Cantabria), 3:28:02
2. Beñat Txoperena (Navarra), s.t.
3. Óscar Hernández (Valencia), 1:23
4. Antonio Pedrero (Catalunya), s.t.
5. Héctor Sáez (Castilla La Mancha), s.t.

Photo: Club Ciclista Bidon