UAE podium at Prueba Villafranca: Del Toro impresses on final climb, but hands Arrieta the victory

The Prueba Villafranca-Orizako is quite a mouthful. With a name like that, you know where the race is taking place: the one-day race is one of the most prominent in the Basque Country. It is also an excellent warm-up for the Clásica San Sebastián, which is scheduled for next week. In the hills around Ordizia, a town about 50 kilometers from the seaside resort, the stage was set for a thrilling climb.

Just like in the Classica Terres de l'Ebre, a one-day race in Catalonia earlier this week, all eyes were once again on UAE Team Emirates - XRG. They had the man in form in Isaac Del Toro, who not only won the previously mentioned Spanish race, but also the Tour of Austria. The unpredictable course seemed tailor-made for the Mexican: could anyone stop him?

An early breakaway was given no space in the difficult, hilly race. Men like Stefan De Bod (Terengganu) and Mikel Bizkarra (Euskaltel-Euskadi) were eager to try, but the UAE received help from Movistar and Astana. The brave attackers were quickly caught. However, the South African was not to be deterred: he tried again and rode away with Enekoitz Azparren (Q36.5 Pro Cycling). He was stronger than the Spaniard and soon found himself alone.

He kept it up for a long time, but Samuele Zoccarato (Polti VisitMalta) overtook him. However, it was all a preview of what was to come: the decisive climb (the Alto de Abaltzisketa) was just before the finish. Three riders managed to break away from the peloton and join Zoccarato. The Italian saw two Spaniards, Igor Arrieta (UAE Emirates-XRG) and Gotzon Martin (Euskaltel-Euskadi), and a Portuguese, Antonio Morgado (UAE Emirates-XRG), join them. Movistar and Astana missed the move, so these two teams had to chase after them.

With 27 kilometers to go, however, this breakaway was caught, but almost immediately, a new attempt was made. Movistar and Astana were now alert and managed to get Davide Formolo (Movistar) and Santiago Umba (Astana) into the breakaway group. It was a dangerous breakaway, because UAE also had a man in the breakaway in the form of Pablo Torres. Mattia Bais (Polti VisitMalta) was the fourth and last rider to join the breakaway. The quartet quickly gained a lead of more than twenty seconds.

Led by Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, the lead gradually diminished. With 16 kilometers to go, everything was back together again, just before the final climb. That's when the fireworks really started. UAE was the first team to fire its rocket on the final climb, with an attack by Igor Arrieta. Simon Carr (Cofidis) managed to catch up just below the top, but soon saw another UAE rider race past him. It was none other than Isaac Del Toro. The Mexican left the two leaders behind as if they were standing still. The South American dove solo into the descent towards the finish. The climbing talent quickly gained more than ten seconds.

He seemed to be riding to victory, but on the descent, just three kilometers from the finish, he saw a rider catching up. Del Toro looked over his shoulder several times to see who it was. A teammate? Del Toro wasn't sure, but it was indeed a teammate. And it was none other than Arrieta, who had already attacked several times.

The Spaniard caught up with his teammate, and it was immediately clear who would “get” the victory. Arrieta would win his first professional victory, with Del Toro next to him on the podium. The sprint of the chasing group was won by Morgado, giving UAE three riders on the podium.