Remco Evenepoel made a long range solo break to blow away his rivals and win the San Sebastian Classic for the second time on Saturday.
The Quick-Step rider broke clear with 45km to go to reclaim the title he won in similar fashion in 2019 as he builds towards next month's Vuelta a Espana.
Evenepoel, 22, crossed the line nearly two minutes ahead of France's Pavel Sivakov with fellow Belgian Tiesj Benoot, two and a half minutes off the pace.
Evenepoel, winner of Liege-Bastogne-Liege in April, had not raced since winning the Belgian time-trial title on 23 June.
The young Belgian opted for a three-week course at altitude in northern Italy to prepare for the Vuelta, his big goal for the second half of the season.
Riders who competed in the Tour de France showed their fatigue in the Basque country after three weeks of intense racing.
Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, competing six days after finishing second in the Tour de France where he was the defending champion, was left behind in the climb of Jaizkibel, 63km from the finish.
Evenepoel saw his chance in Erlaitz, the main difficulty of the race over 4km at more than 10 per cent gradient.
Briton Simon Yates had looked in the chase before stalling, being caught by the first pursuers and finally finishing sixth.