No Euskaltel success in Canada

The first of the two WorldTour races in Canada went by without any of the Euskaltel riders managing to animate the racing.

Robert Gesink's incredibly slow, yet powerful long-distance sprint finish handed Belkin an impressive win against the odds in Québec. Euskaltel fielded a capable team featuring the likes of the Izagirre brothers, but none of them were on their a-game and thus struggled to be competitive.

Peio Bilbao did get into the main break of the day, but the youngster and his two breakaway companions never looked like running away with the race and were swept up well in time for the decisive part of the race.

Romain Sicard ended being the team's best rider in 31st place, eight seconds down. Just behind him was Ion Izagirre and Miguel Mínguez.

Results:

• (1, Robert Gesink (Belkin), 4:58:13)
• 31, Romain Sicard, 0:08
• 32, Ion Izagirre, 0:15
• 33, Miguel Mínguez, s.t.
• 44, Adrián Sáez, 0:57
• 45, Ricardo García, s.t.
• 71, Gorka Izagirre, 1:40
• DNF: Peio Bilbao and Rubén Pérez

Photo: BCPT