Valverde takes third Klasika

By Monika Prell in Amorebieta

Valverde wins the sprint
Photo ©: Susanne Goetze

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) won the 55th edition of the Klasika Primavera by beating an on-from Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) in a sprint of a small group. José Herrada (Contentpolis-AMPO) ended the day in third.

"I am happy about this victory, it's the third time that I win this race," said Valverde at the finish. "I know this terrain very well, and we did a great race, we always had a rider in the breakaway groups. In the end I worked together with Joaquím Rodríguez. I am happy that I go on winning races in spite of all what happens around me," declared Valverde with regards to the CONI investigation.

Egoi Martínez confirmed that his legs are good. "I am content about the whole week, I won the sprint classification in the Vuelta al País Vasco, and today I also finished on the podium. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to win, even though I was close. Now, I will ride the Belgian Classics and later the Tour de France and I hope to do even better there."