Bronze for Koldo

Koldo Fernández was 'best of the rest' in today's national champs road race and grabbed a magnificent bronze behind breakaway duo Rojas and Contador. The Euskaltel sprinter, by his own admission downbeat after missing out on a Tour berth earlier this week, won the sprint for third 28 seconds down on the winning duo to repeat last year's heroics. The team did their best to reel in Rojas and Contador after the duo went clear on the last ascent but there was no catching them, but the team will no doubt be happy with another medal to go with Castroviejo's on Friday. Verdugo and Martínez came home 11th and 13th and looked to be on track for next week's Grand Départ, while Gorka Izagirre also had a decent race to finish 17th at 33 seconds. Txurruka and Velasco ended up 1:28 down in 24th and 26th, A and R Pérez and Urtasun came in with a large group at 5:09, and Sesma, Bilbao and Aramendía crossed the line inside the gruppetto at 8:09.

Víctor Cabedo ensured Orbea a top 10 placing with his 9th place finish. The youngster has had an excellent first season in the blue jersey of Orbea and looks increasingly likely to make the jump up to Euskaltel in 2012. García finished up a decent 20th, Martín 35th, Etxebarria 49th and Bizkarra 62nd.