Ciccone cracks UAE duo in Clásica San Sebastián, strong comeback for Visma | Lease a Bike and Uijtdebroeks

The Clásica San Sebastián, that classic climbing in the Basque Country. The short but steep climbs define this race, usually guaranteeing a spectacular show. This year was no different, as the start list made clear: defending champion Marc Hirschi (Tudor) was present, along with stars like Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe). But most of the attention along the Basque coast went to UAE Team Emirates-XRG, with not only Juan Ayuso but also big favorite Isaac Del Toro on the start line.

Just 20 kilometers into the race, the first mountain appeared: on the Alto de Andazarrate, the first breakaway group formed. Twelve riders got away, including the likes of Gil Gelders (Soudal Quick-Step), Paul Double (Jayco AlUla), Jordan Labrosse (Decathlon AG2R), and Ben Swift (INEOS Grenadiers), Darren van Bekkum (XDS-Astana) and Enzo Leijnse (Picnic PostNL). Naturally, there was also Basque representation with Gotzon Martín (Euskaltel Euskadi) and Julen Arriole-Bengoa (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA).

As usual, the race ignited on the Jaizkibel, after 140 kilometers of riding. Labrosse proved to be the strongest at the front. The Frenchman dropped Leijnse, Van Bekkum, and Gelders. Meanwhile, the first attack in the peloton came from Luke Plapp. His teammate Double dropped back to help the Aussie bridge the gap to the front just before the climb of the Erlaitz: 3.8 kilometers at an average gradient of 10.6%.

A climber's dream, so the favorites moved up. Roglic himself set a furious pace uphill and dropped everyone except Jan Christen (UAE). Slightly behind, Cian Uijtdebroeks of Visma | Lease a Bike made a strong impression on behalf of Visma | Lease a Bike by rejoining the front with a few others. Juan Ayuso had to let go at this point, while teammates Christen and Del Toro managed to stay in the front group.

Just before the top of the Erlaitz, Del Toro launched his move. Only Giulio Ciccone from Lidl-Trek responded in kind. The two immediately gained a 40-second gap, while a chasing group formed behind them with Uijtdebroeks, Tiesj Benoot, Plapp, Roglic, and Maxim Van Gils. This remained the situation heading into the day’s final brutal climb.

Ciccone and Del Toro tackled the route towards the brutally steep Murgil Tontorra together, when suddenly Christen reappeared from behind, aiming to use the UAE numbers. The Swiss rider attacked hard, overtaking Del Toro, who didn’t have the legs, and Ciccone followed. Just before the summit, the Italian - who had to abandon the Giro after a crash - gritted his teeth and surged past Christen, delivering the decisive blow.

Christen threw himself down the descent into San Sebastián like a stone, but couldn't close the gap. He finished second, while Van Gils took third, beating Benoot in a Belgian duel. Uijtdebroeks finished a bit further back, still inside the top ten.