Remco Evenepoel outsprinted Pello Bilbao on Saturday to win the San Sebastian cycling classic for the third time.
The 23-year-old Belgian warmed up for the defence of his road race world title in Glasgow on August 11 by matching the record for most wins in the race held by Spaniard Marino Lejarreta.
"It's super-good for the head and for the motivation to start the second part of the season and to go to Glasgow next week," said Evenepoel at the finish.
??????Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) gana la Clásica de San Sebastián 2023 ???? #klasikoa2023 #Noticiclismo #Ciclismo pic.twitter.com/lgDmp9yIBj
— NotiCiclismo ? ???? #klasikoa2023 (@Noticiclismo1) July 29, 2023
Evenepoel started as the overwhelming favourite but still managed to escape. By the home straight in the 230km race only local star Bilbao was still keeping up.
Evenpoel overpowered the Spaniard in a sprint for the line.
"I was a bit surprised with my sprint because Pello is one of the fastest climbers of the bunch but I think I still had super-good legs," said Evenepoel.
Russian Aleksandr Vlasov finished third, 28 seconds behind.
As he did last year, Evenepoel sprung into action on the 4km Erlaitz climb, 70km from the finish, where he caught up with then frontrunners Romain Bardet and Nathan Van Hooydonck, towing Vlasov, Bilbao and Alberto Bettiol in its wake.
"We rode super well together, perfect co-operation," said Evenepoel.
When Evenepoel surged again, on the penultimate ascent, to Mendizorrotz with 40km to go, only Vlasov and Bilbao could stay with his wheel. Vlasov then fell away on the final climb at Murgil.
"I took the rhythm up the Murgil," said Evenepoel. "I put on the hard rhythm, which I thought I could keep to the top."
The Belgian had one small complaint.
"I really love this race and the fans are amazing but I have to say today they were screaming a bit more for Pello and not for me on the climbs," he said.
"I understand he's a Basque rider. It was super-good to ride the finale with him."