Clásica de San Sebastián 2023: Evenepoel outguns Bilbao in sprint-à-deux

foto: Cor VosRemco Evenepoel and Pello Bilbao distance Aleksandr Vlasov on the steep Murgil climb in the finale. The two stay together on the descent before the World Champion wins the sprint in the streets of San Sebastián. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2023 Clásica de San Sebastián

1. Remco Evenepoel (bel)
2. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.
3. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus) + 0.25
4. Neilson Powless (usa) + 2.50
5. Ion Izagirre (spa) + 2.57
6. Toms Skujins (lat) + 3.02
7. Alex Aranburu (spa) s.t.
8. Rui Costa (PoR) s.t.
9. Andrea Bagioli (ita) s.t.
10. Tiesj Benoot (bel) s.t.

Race report
Franck Bonnamour and Romain Bardet are among the most active riders in the first 40 kilometres. They establish the breakway with Julien Bernard and Mikel Iturria before Nathan van Hooydonck bridges across and the five open up a 5 minutes lead.

Bonnamour is dropped from the lead group on the Jaizkibel, while Iturria and Bernard can’t follow on the Erlaitz. Meanwhile, Remco Evenepoel attacks from the peloton and he rejoins Bardet and Van Hooydonck with Pello Bilbao, Aleksandr Vlasov and Alberto Bettiol.

The six cross the finish line for the first time 1.10 minutes ahead of the peloton.

Bardet, Van Hooydonck and Bettiol can’t follow the pace on the Mendizorrotz. Vlasov, Bilbao and Evenepoel enter the last climb of the day, Murgil, 3 minutes ahead of the peloton.

Evenepoel sets the pace on the climb and Bilbao sticks to his wheel. Vlasov loses contact in the last 500 metres.

Evenepoel and Bilbao work well together until the flamme rouge. The home rider takes the lead and opens the sprint, but it’s the world Champion who overhauls him with a powerful surge to the line.

Other interesting reads: route and start list 2023 Clásica de San Sebastián.