Clásica de San Sebastián 2018: Julian Alaphilipe bests Bauke Mollema in two-up sprint

The Clásica de San Sebastián travels over eight climbs to end with a fast drop down to the line. Bauke Mollema and Julian Alaphilippe are first to crest the steep last climb, the Murgil, before they drop down into Sebastián. The Frenchman powers to victory and the Dutch rider has to settle for second place. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2018 Clásica de San Sebastián

1. Julian Alaphilippe (fra)
2. Bauke Mollema (nld) s.t.
3. Anthony Roux (fra) + 0.16
4. Greg Van Avermaet (bel) s.t.
5. Julien Simon (fra) s.t.
6. Rigoberto Uran (col) s.t.
7. Ion Izagirre (spa) s.t.
8. Robert Gesink (nld) s.t.
9. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) s.t.
10. Antwan Tolhoek (nld) s.t.

Race report
Pablo Torres en Aritz Bagüés open up a gap early on, while Luis Mas, Cyril Barthe, Sergio Rodriguez and Loic Chetout bridge across. With a lead of 7 minutes the Jaizkibel is tackled for the first time and it falls to 3 minutes near the top. On the Arkale it goes further down to 2 minutes.

The second time up the Jaizkibel the leader’s advantage falls below 1 minute. Barthe goes solo and he travels 14 seconds ahead of the main group over the top.

Barthe is caught before the second climb up the Arkale. Winner Anacona, Ian Boswell and Kanstantsin Sivtsov attack. A group with Steven Kruijswijk tracks them down before the peloton regroups 1 km before the top. Pierre Latour strikes with Antwan Tolhoek, Pieter Serry and Benjamin King on his wheel.

Back in the valley it all comes together before a crash with 20 kms to go takes down Primoz Roglic, Mikel Landa, Gorka Izagirre, Egan Bernal, Pierre Latour and Tony Gallopin. Landa and Bernal can’t continue the race.

Antwan Tolhoek attacks 1.2 kms before the top of the Murgil. Rudy Molard bridges across before Bauke Mollema gobbles them up. Julian Alaphilippe rejoins him and the two are first to reach the crest. Van Avermaet, Tolhoek and Molard are 20 seconds down on them.

The two widen the gap on the descent. A cat-and-mouse play in the streets of San Sebastian leads to an easy catch for Alaphilippe. He controls the sprints and Mollema settles for second. Anthony Roux finishes third, 16 seconds down on the duo.