Grand Prix Primavera, Cat 1.3

Race Distance - 196 km:

The ONCE rider took advantage of a present from his top man, Jalabert who in the last metres gave him a silent signal.

ONCE organized a spectacle to final win with Mikel Zarrabeitia the XLIII Edition of the Gran Premio Primavera de Amorebieta, disputed today over 196 kms. Manolo Saiz (ONCE's Director) did what he wanted with the 96 rider peloton. There was a long wait, until the second of the three ascents to Montecalvo, a category two, so that the race would enter its more exciting phase, thanks to the attack by Alex Z=FClle and Marcelino Garcia, who opened a gap of almost half a minute over a group which was controlled by ONCE. After their attack, it took until the climb of Autzagane, a category three, where the difference grew to 43 seconds, for Banesto and Euskadi to start working together. The yellow adventure lasted a whole lap over the second sircuit plus thirty kilometers and were neutralized on the third ascent to Montecalvo at kilometer 179 of the race. It was the perfect strategy, so that Laurent Jalabert could jump from the peloton and take off very easily up the second category climb, where he gained a seven second advantage over Zarrabeitia, Etxebarria, Marcelino Garcia, Luc Leblanc, Jimenez and Madouas.

In ONCE's last move, Mikel Zarrabeitia attacked in the last difficulty of the race -after dropping Ullrich- and took off like an arrow after his teammate, who was looking back before getting to Abadino. Zarrabeitia and Jalabert covered the last kilometers together, with 21 seconds over the first chase group, which included Stephane Heulo. On the finish, Jalabert gave up the first place to Zarrabeitia, who in a week -at Estella and here- has achieved what has been denied to him in five years.

Results

  1. Mikel Zarrabeitia (Spa) Once, 196 km in   4.59.53 (39,125 km/h)
  2. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) Once                  s.t.
  3. Stephane Heulot (Fra Francaises des Jeux   + 0.07
  4. Iqigo Cuesta (Spa) Once                    + 0.19
  5. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Telekom
  6. Javier Mauleon (Spa) Once
  7. Marco Fincato (Ita) Roslotto
  8. Clavero (Spa)
  9. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Spa) Kelme
 10. Davide Rebellin (Ita) FDJ					 all s.t.