Clásica de San Sebastián 2019: Young Remco Evenepoel wins solo

The Clásica de San Sebastián is pepped up by the addition of an extra super-steep climb inside the last 40 kilometres. Remco Evenepoel is dropped on this climb, but the 19-year old Belgian returns before the last ascent. He attacks with Skujins to go solo in the last metres of the Murgil climb. He descends into San Sebastián to win the race. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results Clásica de San Sebastián 2019

1. Remco Evenepoel (bel)
2. Greg Van Avermaet (bel) + 0.38
3. Marc Hirschi (swi) s.t.
4. Gorka Izagirre (spa) s.t.
5. Bauke Mollema (nld) s.t.
6. Patrick Konrad (aut) s.t.
7. Jelle Vanendert (bel) s.t.
8. Enric Mas (spa) s.t.
9. Michael Woods (can) s.t.
10. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.

Race report
Großschartner, Cerny, Lemoine, Bole, Irizar, Bouwman, Madrazo and Barcelo open up a gap after the Meaga climb and Irisarri tracks them down with a long effort. The nine race to a maximum lead of almost 5 minutes. Meanwhile, Julian Alaphilippe calls it a day at kilometre 90 and the title defender abandons the race.

Tour de France champion Bernal drops back on the Erlaitz, a climb with 75 kilometres remaining. Mikel Landa and Adam Yates can’t follow the pace either, while Barcelo is the last remaining leader.

The Spaniard is brought back when he moves through San Sebastián with 50 kilometres to go.

The favourites stay together on the Mendizorrotz, although dark horse Remco Evenpoel is dropped. He regains contact after the descent though to attack with Toms Skujins. The two open up a gap on theflat run-in to the last climb.

Skujins and Evenepoel reach the first slopes 40 seconds ahead of the main group, while the Belgian goes solo with 500 metres to climb. He reaches the crest more than half a minute ahead of the big names.

Evenepoel descents to victory. Greg Van Avermaet wins the sprint for second place and Marc Hirschi finishes in trird.

Another interesting read: route 2019 Clásica de San Sebastián.