With many of the riders backing up from the previous day's Pro Tour event in San Sebastian, this was going to be a race for the strong men of the field. The Urkiola Igoera-Subida (Cat. 1.1) is a 161.5km course that contains 2 Category 1 climbs, although I have a feeling that the profile might be a little deceptive as far as the viciousness of the gradients is concerned...

Hmm, yes...perhaps a bit steep.

On to the race itself and a group of 26 riders cleared out early trying to establish a break big enough protect them from the mountain goats who would be attacking on the climbs. Their lead reached around 3 minutes but this would never be enough. The lead group were blown apart on the first climb to leave 12 out in front, 5 of which were Saunier Duval riders.

On the final ascent the pace was whipped up by Juan José Cobo who set the race up for his team-mate Gómez Marchante who made his attack with 4 kilometres of the race to go. In the end he was way too strong, winning by 40 seconds from David López (Caisse d'Épargne). Cobo managed to hold on for 3rd placing.

This was a strategically sound race by the Saunier Duval squad who executed their plan to perfection.

Race Results (Top 10)

1 José A Gómez Marchante (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir       3.50.38 (42.27 km/h)
2 David López García (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                           0.40
3 Juan José Cobo Acebo (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir            0.43
4 José Miguel Elías Galindo (Spa) Relax - Gam                        1.00
5 Daniel Moreno Fernández (Spa) Relax - Gam                       1.19
6 David Herrero Llorente (Spa) Karpin Galicia                        1.43
7 Constantino Zaballa Gutiérrez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne        1.47
8 Joaquín Rodríguez Oliver (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne                1.51
9 Sergio Pardilla Bellón (Spa) Viña Magna - Cropu                 1.58
10 Jesús Ramírez Torres (Spa) Extremadura - Spiuk            2.10