Sanchez wins San Sebastian Classic

Spain's Luis Leon Sanchez claimed the first classic success of his career when he sprinted to victory in the San Sebastian Classic on Saturday.

In the absence of Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, the Spanish crowd had been pinning their hopes on Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez, who finished fourth in France.

But it was Caisse d'Epargne rider Sanchez, who finished 11th in the Tour de France, who surprised everyone by crossing the line first after the 234km ride through the Basque country.

"This victory is a big reward for the team," said Sanchez, who had struggled on the second climb of the race at Jaizkibel, the very first summit of the Pyrenees.

Sanchez crossed ahead of Kazakh rider Alexandre Vinokourov of the Astana team with Carlos Sastre of Spain, riding for Cervelo, in third after 5hr 47min 13sec in the saddle.

The trio had made all the running in the final kilometres after pre-race favourite Andy Schleck, the Tour de France runner-up, retiring after 120km as he failed to keep up with the race leaders.

The early part of the race had been marked by the breakaway after 26km of Cervelo rider Xavier Florencio, Pierre Cazeaux (Francaise des Jeux) and Jorge Martin Montenegro (Andalucia-Cajasur).

The trio led by eight minutes before being reeled in on the Jaizkibel.

Sanchez attacked 38km from the line, setting a pace which only Vinokourov and Sastre could match, as the trio co-operated to move 40 seconds clear.

The Kazakh broke free in the final four kilometres with only Sanchez able to match the pace.

"I managed to find the energy to keep in the race for victory with Sastre and Vinokourov, it's the most difficult win of my career," said Sanchez, who won two stages of the Tour de France in 2008 and 2009.

"I felt really good after the Tour de France. I felt overjoyed by the great work achieved by the team and an added motivation for the reat of the season."

RESULTS

1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse D'Epargne/ESP) 5hr 47min 13sec
2. Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ) same time
3. Carlos Sastre (ESP) s.t.
4. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP) at 34sec
5. Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) 37
6. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) s.t
7. Robert Gesink (NED) s.t.
8. Nicholas Roche (IRL) s.t.
9. Samuel Sanchez (ESP) s.t.
10. Richie Porte (AUS) s.t.
11. Greg Avermaet (BEL) at 2min 14sec
12. Carlos Barredo (ESP) s.t.
13. Chris Sorensen (DEN) s.t.
14. Javier Moreno (ESP) s.t.
15. Eros Capecchi (ITA) 3:43

Selected:

25. Damiano Cunego (ITA) s.t.
38. Levi Leipheimer (USA) s.t.
Retired: Andy Schleck (LUX)