Vallejo and Fernández crowned champs of Euskadi

Kepa Vallejo proved there's still a fire burning in his old legs as he was crowned champion of Euskadi on Sunday.

The Telco'm rider, hailing from Amurrio in Álava, held off Gipuzkoa-Eki Sport's Júlen Mitxelena and Aitor González of Lizarte to the line in Ataun, having attacked on the final climb, the Urkillaga, some five clicks from the finish.

The 30-year-old just about managed to stay away, reaching the finish line a single second ahead of the chasers. Number five across the line, Egoitz Fernández of Seguros Bilbao, claimed the sub-23 title. Naturgas' stand-out rider this season, Loïc Chetout, finished tenth.

Results:

• 1, Kepa Vallejo (Telco'm), 3:29:57
• 2, Júlen Mitxelena (Gipuzkoa-Eki Sport), 0:01
• 3, Aitor González (Lizarte), s.t.
• 4, Egoitz Murgoitio (Hirumet-Taldea), s.t.
• 5, Egoitz Fernández (Seguros Bilbao), s.t.
• 6, Ander Plazaola (Lizarte), 0:24
• 7, Antton Ibarguren (Telco'm), 1:08
• 8, Beñat Txoperena (Gipuzkoa-Eki Sport), s.t.
• 9, Mikel Elorza (Gipuzkoa-Eki Sport), 1:32
• 10, Loïc Chetout (Naturgas Energía), s.t.