Cyclist Valverde wins San Sebastian classic

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain (AFP) — Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, riding for Caisse d'Epargne, won the San Sebastian classic race in Spain's northern Basque region here on Saturday in a pre-Olympic tune-up.

Valverde, 28, is one of the favourites for the men's road race honours at the Beijing Games which finishes near the Great Wall on August 9, when he will be hoping to live up to his childhood nickname of 'El Imbatido' (the unbeaten one).

At the Games, Valverde will challenge Italy's formidable reigning champion Paolo Bettini for gold and Saturday was an indication he is on form as he came through in a sprint finish to outlast Alexandr Kolobnev (CSC) and Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) after the 239km contest.

Bettini of Quick Step had to make do with fourth on the...