26th Clasica San Sebastian - ProT

Spain, August 12, 2006

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The peloton rolls out of San Sebastian on a cloudy day
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) looking concerned
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) knows something that we don't?
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) not quite in form
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) has a relaxing moment in the bunch
• Bettini concentrates with Vinokourov on his wheel
• Haimar Zubeldia (Euskaltel) attacks on the Jaizkibel
• The bunch decides on what to do
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) showing himself at the front
• Carlos Sastre (CSC) with Ricardo Ricco on his wheel, and Mayo and Schleck coming up
• Iban Mayo (Euskaltel) drives the break with Schleck and Sastre in tow
• Menchov, Mayo and Sastre come up the Jaizkibel in the lead
• Giuliano Figueras (Lampre) was almost, but not quite good enough to make the lead group
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) accompanied by Vladimir Karpets
• Luis Perez (Cofidis) leads the bunch up the Jaizkibel
• Haimar Zubeldia (Euskaltel) and Ricardo Ricco (Saunier Duval) help control the chase on the Jaizkibel
• Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) back in the game
• Xavier Florencio (Bouygues Telecom) beats Stefano Garzelli (R) and Andrey Kashechkin (L) to win the Clasica San Sebastian
• Xavier Florencio (Bouygues Telecom) celebrates his win in the Clasica San Sebastian
• Xavier Florencio (Bouygues Telecom) has done it!
• Xavier Florencio (Bouygues Telecom) after crossing the line
• Stefano Garzelli (Liquigas) was close, but no cigarillo
• Xavier Florencio (Bouygues Telecom) on the podium
• The podium (L to R): Stefano Garzelli (2nd), Xavier Florencio (1st) and Andrey Kashechkin (3rd)

Images by AFP Photo

• Xavier Florencio (Bouygues Telecom) was the best man at the finish in San Sebastian
• Xavier Florencio (Bouygues Telecom) beats Stefano Garzelli (R) and Andrey Kashechkin (L) to win the Clasica San Sebastian
• Florencio cannot beloive it
• Xavier Florencio (Bouygues Telecom) on the podium, celebrating

Images by Régis Garnier/www.velofotopro.com

• The come back of Alejandro Valverde after his crash during the last Tour de France.
• Pierrick Fédrigo and Sandy Casar wait for the start
• Alajandro Valverde on the start line.
• Iban Mayo is one of the stars of the day in the Pays Basque.
• Team Astana is presented to the Spanish crowd led by Alexandre Vinokourov.
• Damiano Cunego is thinking…
• Ricardo Serano on his car team.
• It’s seems that a coke is not a good drink for Paolo Bettini!
• Cadel Evans seems happy to be here.
• Like a lot of supporters, Alejandro Valverde's teammates take a photo with the boss
• Alejandro Valverde with Jose Ivan Gutierrez
• George Hincapie
• Alajendro Valverde talks to the press.
• Valverde with all his supporters.
• Alejandro Vinokourov is waiting in the peloton for the start.
• Xavier Florencio wins his firt ProTour race.
• A big victory for the Spanish boy of Bouygues Telecom.
• Xavier Florencio can't believe his victory.
• Xavier Florencio and his sister on the way to the podium.
• Florencio talks to the press after his victory.
• Xavier Florencio is congratulated by his fans and his family in the San Sebastian’s streets
• A big smile
• A battle or a bottle of champagne? ...for Stéphano Garzelli, Alejandro Valverde and Xavier Florencio.
• The Txapela is awarded every year for the winner of Clasica San Sebastian.
• The podium with Stefano Garzelli, Xavier Florencio and Andrey Kashechkin.

Images by Shane Stokes/Cyclingnews

• Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) adjusts his wheel prior to the start
• Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana Wurth)
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) and fans
• The Olympic champion has won on this course before
• George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) at the start
• Swedish champion Thomas Lovkvist (Francaise Des Jeux)
• Cadel Evans (Davitamon Lotto) heads to sign on
• Salvatore Commesso (Lampre) talks to him at the start
• Michael Rogers (T-Mobile) signs autographs
• So too Carlos Sastre (CSC) - ever popular with the Spanish fans
• Sastre said he would decide soon whether or not to ride the Vuelta this year, having already done the Giro and the Tour
• Previous winner Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner)
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) got a very big response from the crowd, due in part to his status as ProTour leader but also because of his nationality
• Alejandro Valverde was happy to be back racing
• White carbon for Valverde
• And an adoring fan
• Alejandro Valverde and the rest of the team are presented to the crowd
• Alejandro Valverde salutes his fans
• Custom saddle - it reads 'Go like a Green Bullet'
• Autograph time
• Alejandro Valverde would ride well today
• Linus Gerdemann (T-Mobile)
• Christophe Moreau (AG2R Prevoyance)
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre)
• Michael Boogerd signs an autograph but is more interested in his converstation
• The peloton just before the start
• They roll out on damp roads
• Alejandro Valverde attracts attention
• Alejandro Valverde seems in good condition, despite the racing lost due to his Tour de France crash
• Other riders get their race underway
• Xavier Florencio (Bouygues Telecom) is congratulated after his surprise win
• Xavier Florencio looks like he can't believe it either
• Xavier Florencio faces the press
• "Hey! I could get used to this..."