País Vasco: Roglic wins time trial finale, Valverde claims overall victory

“It was a difficult time trial, but everything went as I wanted,” Roglic said. “I won twice this week and I finished fifth in the standings.

“Today, I left the big classification riders behind me in a time trial, and that feels good. I’m so happy, also for the team because they have supported me well all week. It feels good that I can repay them. Now I’ll focus my sights on the Tour de Romandie.”

Stage 6, top 10

• 1. Primož ROGLIC, LOTTONL-JUMBO, in 35:58
• 2. Alejandro VALVERDE BELMONTE, MOVISTAR, at :09
• 3. Jon IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at :15
• 4. Alberto CONTADOR VELASCO, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at :23
• 5. David DE LA CRUZ MELGAREJO, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at :34
• 6. Michael MATTHEWS, SUNWEB, at :41
• 7. Vasil KIRYIENKA, SKY, at :52
• 8. Diego ULISSI, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at :52
• 9. Victor DE LA PARTE GONZALEZ, MOVISTAR, at 1:04
• 10. George BENNETT, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 1:23

General classification

• 1. Alejandro VALVERDE BELMONTE, MOVISTAR, in 20:41:25
• 2. Alberto CONTADOR VELASCO, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at :17
• 3. Jon IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at :21
• 4. David DE LA CRUZ MELGAREJO, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at :44
• 5. Primož ROGLIC, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at :59
• 6. Louis MEINTJES, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 1:19
• 7. Patrick KONRAD, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 1:40
• 8. Sergio Luis HENAO MONTOYA, SKY, at 1:51
• 9. Rigoberto URAN URAN, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 1:56
• 10. Simon ŠPILAK, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 2:01

Five riders were tied on time heading into the final day of racing, however it was Valverde who was able to retain the overall lead and top the final general classification 17 seconds ahead of rival countryman Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo).

“Man, it was hard! I really wanted to win this Itzulia,” said Valverde after the race. “I have been on the verge of success so many years, always came close without a win – fortunately, it seems like I’m on a good streak this season, and claiming overall honours at last makes for a very special success.

The win gives the 36-year-old Spaniard 106th pro win and his fourth win on home soil this season, including his third stage race victory behind triumphs at Catalunya and Ruta del Sol.

“I’m even more surprised than anyone about how things are going for me this season,” he admitted. “Every single year, at this point of the season, I yell it’s my best start ever. But this time, you can’t have any doubt – it’s the best one.

“With everything that I’ve won so far, I’m heading into the classics without any stress … maybe if I win one in the Ardennes, I can skip the rest of the season! (Laughs) Seriously, I’m in very good condition and we must try and take advantage from it at the Ardennes. After that, we’ll have some rest and start preparing for the Tour.”

Stage 6 results

• 1. Primož ROGLIC, LOTTONL-JUMBO, in 35:58
• 2. Alejandro VALVERDE BELMONTE, MOVISTAR, at :09
• 3. Jon IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at :15
• 4. Alberto CONTADOR VELASCO, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at :23
• 5. David DE LA CRUZ MELGAREJO, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at :34
• 6. Michael MATTHEWS, SUNWEB, at :41
• 7. Vasil KIRYIENKA, SKY, at :52
• 8. Diego ULISSI, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at :52
• 9. Victor DE LA PARTE GONZALEZ, MOVISTAR, at 1:04
• 10. George BENNETT, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 1:23
• 11. Simon ŠPILAK, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 1:23
• 12. Patrick KONRAD, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 1:27
• 13. Tsgabu Gebremaryam GRMAY, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 1:28
• 14. Louis MEINTJES, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 1:28
• 15. Gorka IZAGIRRE INSAUSTI, MOVISTAR, at 1:31
• 16. MICHAEL VALGREN ANDERSEN, ASTANA, at 1:34
• 17. Enric MAS NICOLAU, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at 1:34
• 18. Sam OOMEN, SUNWEB, at 1:37
• 19. Georg PREIDLER, SUNWEB, at 1:37
• 20. Jérémy ROY, FDJ, at 1:37
• 21. Anthony ROUX, FDJ, at 1:41
• 22. Warren BARGUIL, SUNWEB, at 1:41
• 23. Emanuel BUCHMANN, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 1:44
• 24. Nicolas EDET, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 1:45
• 25. Sergio Luis HENAO MONTOYA, SKY, at 1:45
• 26. Simon YATES, ORICA-SCOTT, at 1:48
• 27. Ruben FERNANDEZ ANDUJAR, MOVISTAR, at 1:49
• 28. Giovanni VISCONTI, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 1:53
• 29. Mikel NIEVE ITURRALDE, SKY, at 1:55
• 30. Maxime MONFORT, LOTTO SOUDAL, at 2:00
• 31. Pello BILBAO LOPEZ DE ARMENTIA, ASTANA, at 2:01
• 32. Luis León SANCHEZ, ASTANA, at 2:01
• 33. Matteo MONTAGUTI, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 2:05
• 34. Matej MOHORIC, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 2:08
• 35. Valerio CONTI, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 2:10
• 36. Eros CAPECCHI, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at 2:12
• 37. Léo VINCENT, FDJ, at 2:13
• 38. Rudy MOLARD, FDJ, at 2:15
• 39. Alexey LUTSENKO, ASTANA, at 2:21
• 40. Michael WOODS, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 2:25
• 41. Ondrej CINK, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 2:25
• 42. Stéphane ROSSETTO, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 2:26
• 43. David LOPEZ GARCIA, SKY, at 2:27
• 44. Haimar ZUBELDIA AGIRRE, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 2:29
• 45. Antwan TOLHOEK, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 2:30
• 46. Laurens TEN DAM, SUNWEB, at 2:30
• 47. Sebastian HENAO GOMEZ, SKY, at 2:30
• 48. Sergei CHERNETSKI, ASTANA, at 2:32
• 49. Romain BARDET, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 2:33
• 50. BENOIT VAUGRENARD, at 2:37
• 51. Alexis VUILLERMOZ, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 2:37
• 52. Floris DE TIER, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 2:38
• 53. Sander ARMEE, LOTTO SOUDAL, at 2:41
• 54. Janez BRAJKOVIC, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 2:41
• 55. Tao GEOGHEGAN HART, SKY, at 2:41
• 56. Luis Guillermo MAS BONET, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 2:42
• 57. Omar FRAILE MATARRANZ, DIMENSION DATA, at 2:42
• 58. Jaime ROSON GARCIA, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 2:48
• 59. Chris HAMILTON, SUNWEB, at 2:50
• 60. Tiago MACHADO, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 2:52
• 61. Jack HAIG, ORICA-SCOTT, at 2:57
• 62. Roman KREUZIGER, ORICA-SCOTT, at 3:02
• 63. Ángel VICIOSO ARCOS, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 3:03
• 64. Jay MCCARTHY, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 3:03
• 65. NICHOLAS ROCHE, BMC RACING, at 3:05
• 66. Ruben PLAZA, ORICA-SCOTT, at 3:08
• 67. Cesare BENEDETTI, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 3:08
• 68. Manuele MORI, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 3:09
• 69. Hubert DUPONT, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 3:10
• 70. Anthony PEREZ, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 3:20
• 71. Maurits LAMMERTINK, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 3:21
• 72. Nathan BROWN, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 3:29
• 73. Maxim BELKOV, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 3:30
• 74. Silvio HERKLOTZ, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 3:31
• 75. Danilo WYSS, BMC RACING, at 3:31
• 76. Gianluca BRAMBILLA, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at 3:34
• 77. Michal KWIATKOWSKI, SKY, at 3:38
• 78. Markel IRIZAR ARANBURU, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 3:39
• 79. Serge PAUWELS, DIMENSION DATA, at 3:39
• 80. Gregor MÜHLBERGER, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 3:43
• 81. André CARDOSO, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 3:43
• 82. Ben SWIFT, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 3:44
• 83. Julien BERNARD, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 3:45
• 84. Tosh VAN DER SANDE, LOTTO SOUDAL, at 3:47
• 85. Dries DEVENYNS, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at 3:47
• 86. Alessandro DE MARCHI, BMC RACING, at 3:48
• 87. Mikael CHEREL, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 3:48
• 88. Merhawi KUDUS GHEBREMEDHIN, DIMENSION DATA, at 3:53
• 89. Jakob FUGLSANG, ASTANA, at 3:55
• 90. Grega BOLE, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 3:57
• 91. Damiano CARUSO, BMC RACING, at 3:59
• 92. CEDRIC PINEAU, FDJ, at 3:59
• 93. Mathias LE TURNIER, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 4:00
• 94. Sergio PARDILLA BELLON, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 4:01
• 95. Igor ANTON HERNANDEZ, DIMENSION DATA, at 4:01
• 96. Kristijan ÐURASEK, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 4:02
• 97. Alex HOWES, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 4:02
• 98. Laurent DIDIER, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 4:09
• 99. Odd Christian EIKING, FDJ, at 4:10
• 100. Luis Angel MATE MARDONES, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 4:13
• 101. Carlos VERONA, ORICA-SCOTT, at 4:14
• 102. Michael ALBASINI, ORICA-SCOTT, at 4:15
• 103. Jonathan LASTRA MARTINEZ, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 4:18
• 104. Yukiya ARASHIRO, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 4:19
• 105. Alexander ARANBURU DEVA, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 4:20
• 106. Arnaud COURTEILLE, FDJ, at 4:29
• 107. Jon IRISARRI RINCON, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 4:33
• 108. Bakhtiyar KOZHATAYEV, ASTANA, at 4:37
• 109. Tom-Jelte SLAGTER, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 4:37
• 110. Clement CHEVRIER, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 4:38
• 111. Matvey MAMYKIN, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 4:47
• 112. AMAEL MOINARD, BMC RACING, at 4:48
• 113. Julien BERARD, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 4:48
• 114. Jesus HERNANDEZ BLAZQUEZ, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 4:55
• 115. Daniel MORENO, MOVISTAR, at 5:00
• 116. Fabricio FERRARI BARCELO, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 5:01
• 117. Guillaume BONNAFOND, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 5:07
• 118. Robert KIŠERLOVSKI, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 5:12
• 119. Nikita STALNOV, ASTANA, at 5:25
• 120. Benjamin KING, DIMENSION DATA, at 5:29
• 121. Michael SCHWARZMANN, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 5:33
• 122. Juan Jose LOBATO DEL VALLE, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 5:39
• 123. Michal GOLAS, SKY, at 5:40
• 124. Yoann BAGOT, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 5:51
• 125. Rob POWER, ORICA-SCOTT, at 6:04
• 126. Toms SKUJINS, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 6:07
• 127. Bert-Jan LINDEMAN, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 6:10
• 128. Antonio NIBALI, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 6:17

General classification

• 1. Alejandro VALVERDE BELMONTE, MOVISTAR, in 20:41:25
• 2. Alberto CONTADOR VELASCO, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at :17
• 3. Jon IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at :21
• 4. David DE LA CRUZ MELGAREJO, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at :44
• 5. Primož ROGLIC, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at :59
• 6. Louis MEINTJES, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 1:19
• 7. Patrick KONRAD, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 1:40
• 8. Sergio Luis HENAO MONTOYA, SKY, at 1:51
• 9. Rigoberto URAN URAN, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 1:56
• 10. Simon ŠPILAK, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 2:01
• 11. George BENNETT, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 2:12
• 12. Michael WOODS, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 2:16
• 13. Emanuel BUCHMANN, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 2:22
• 14. Enric MAS NICOLAU, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at 2:23
• 15. Romain BARDET, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 2:24
• 16. Warren BARGUIL, SUNWEB, at 2:30
• 17. Nicolas EDET, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 2:34
• 18. Alexis VUILLERMOZ, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 2:50
• 19. Sam OOMEN, SUNWEB, at 2:55
• 20. Giovanni VISCONTI, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 3:11
• 21. Sergei CHERNETSKI, ASTANA, at 3:21
• 22. Simon YATES, ORICA-SCOTT, at 3:24
• 23. Diego ULISSI, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 3:26
• 24. Rudy MOLARD, FDJ, at 3:48
• 25. Jaime ROSON GARCIA, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 3:50
• 26. Ruben FERNANDEZ ANDUJAR, MOVISTAR, at 4:23
• 27. Tsgabu Gebremaryam GRMAY, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 4:52
• 28. Serge PAUWELS, DIMENSION DATA, at 4:57
• 29. Mikel NIEVE ITURRALDE, SKY, at 5:11
• 30. Michal KWIATKOWSKI, SKY, at 5:29
• 31. Sebastian HENAO GOMEZ, SKY, at 6:29
• 32. Luis León SANCHEZ, ASTANA, at 6:38
• 33. Roman KREUZIGER, ORICA-SCOTT, at 7:41
• 34. Mikael CHEREL, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 8:09
• 35. NICHOLAS ROCHE, BMC RACING, at 8:51
• 36. Tosh VAN DER SANDE, LOTTO SOUDAL, at 9:49
• 37. Victor DE LA PARTE GONZALEZ, MOVISTAR, at 10:18
• 38. Merhawi KUDUS GHEBREMEDHIN, DIMENSION DATA, at 10:28
• 39. Michael MATTHEWS, SUNWEB, at 10:58
• 40. Georg PREIDLER, SUNWEB, at 11:01
• 41. Alexander ARANBURU DEVA, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 11:21
• 42. Ondrej CINK, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 11:40
• 43. Floris DE TIER, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 12:27
• 44. Daniel MORENO, MOVISTAR, at 12:56
• 45. Gianluca BRAMBILLA, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at 13:27
• 46. Jack HAIG, ORICA-SCOTT, at 13:29
• 47. Jay MCCARTHY, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 13:43
• 48. Haimar ZUBELDIA AGIRRE, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 14:58
• 49. André CARDOSO, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 15:34
• 50. Robert KIŠERLOVSKI, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 15:55
• 51. Maxime MONFORT, LOTTO SOUDAL, at 16:25
• 52. Carlos VERONA, ORICA-SCOTT, at 16:30
• 53. Vasil KIRYIENKA, SKY, at 17:13
• 54. Tiago MACHADO, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 17:17
• 55. Gorka IZAGIRRE INSAUSTI, MOVISTAR, at 17:24
• 56. Janez BRAJKOVIC, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 18:33
• 57. Ángel VICIOSO ARCOS, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 20:02
• 58. Maurits LAMMERTINK, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 21:14
• 59. Luis Angel MATE MARDONES, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 22:05
• 60. Laurens TEN DAM, SUNWEB, at 22:16
• 61. Odd Christian EIKING, FDJ, at 22:17
• 62. Jon IRISARRI RINCON, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 23:00
• 63. Jakob FUGLSANG, ASTANA, at 23:10
• 64. Nathan BROWN, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 23:16
• 65. Igor ANTON HERNANDEZ, DIMENSION DATA, at 23:32
• 66. Hubert DUPONT, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 23:38
• 67. MICHAEL VALGREN ANDERSEN, ASTANA, at 23:46
• 68. Valerio CONTI, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 23:56
• 69. Omar FRAILE MATARRANZ, DIMENSION DATA, at 24:18
• 70. Antwan TOLHOEK, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 26:03
• 71. Gregor MÜHLBERGER, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 26:35
• 72. David LOPEZ GARCIA, SKY, at 27:12
• 73. Damiano CARUSO, BMC RACING, at 28:10
• 74. Sergio PARDILLA BELLON, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 28:48
• 75. Jérémy ROY, FDJ, at 29:23
• 76. Sander ARMEE, LOTTO SOUDAL, at 29:31
• 77. Guillaume BONNAFOND, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 30:12
• 78. Jesus HERNANDEZ BLAZQUEZ, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 30:36
• 79. Tom-Jelte SLAGTER, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 30:39
• 80. Matvey MAMYKIN, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 32:01
• 81. Stéphane ROSSETTO, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 33:50
• 82. Ruben PLAZA, ORICA-SCOTT, at 34:30
• 83. BENOIT VAUGRENARD, FDJ, at 34:33
• 84. Clement CHEVRIER, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 34:34
• 85. Danilo WYSS, BMC RACING, at 35:13
• 86. Anthony ROUX, FDJ, at 36:15
• 87. Matej MOHORIC, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 36:51
• 88. Arnaud COURTEILLE, at 37:41
• 89. Yukiya ARASHIRO, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 38:18
• 90. Tao GEOGHEGAN HART, SKY, at 38:49
• 91. Matteo MONTAGUTI, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 38:56
• 92. CEDRIC PINEAU, FDJ, at 39:00
• 93. Benjamin KING, DIMENSION DATA, at 39:18
• 94. Eros CAPECCHI, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at 40:22
• 95. Silvio HERKLOTZ, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 40:24
• 96. Mathias LE TURNIER, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 40:35
• 97. Dries DEVENYNS, QUICK-STEP FLOORS, at 40:50
• 98. Cesare BENEDETTI, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 40:56
• 99. Kristijan ÐURASEK, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 41:18
• 100. Yoann BAGOT, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 41:26
• 101. Alexey LUTSENKO, ASTANA, at 41:30
• 102. Jonathan LASTRA MARTINEZ, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 41:34
• 103. Toms SKUJINS, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 41:55
• 104. Rob POWER, ORICA-SCOTT, at 41:57
• 105. Fabricio FERRARI BARCELO, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 42:20
• 106. Ben SWIFT, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 42:31
• 107. Michael ALBASINI, ORICA-SCOTT, at 42:44
• 108. Manuele MORI, UAE TEAM EMIRATES, at 42:59
• 109. Anthony PEREZ, COFIDIS-SOLUTIONS CREDITS, at 43:13
• 110. Pello BILBAO LOPEZ DE ARMENTIA, ASTANA, at 43:20
• 111. Markel IRIZAR ARANBURU, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 43:29
• 112. Alessandro DE MARCHI, BMC RACING, at 44:08
• 113. Antonio NIBALI, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 44:12
• 114. Juan Jose LOBATO DEL VALLE, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 44:13
• 115. Michal GOLAS, SKY, at 45:15
• 116. AMAEL MOINARD, BMC RACING, at 45:54
• 117. Julien BERARD, AG2R LA MONDIALE, at 45:58
• 118. Alex HOWES, CANNONDALE-DRAPAC, at 46:02
• 119. Léo VINCENT, FDJ, at 46:08
• 120. Grega BOLE, BAHRAIN-MERIDA, at 46:53
• 121. Bert-Jan LINDEMAN, LOTTONL-JUMBO, at 47:20
• 122. Julien BERNARD, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 48:39
• 123. Maxim BELKOV, KATUSHA-ALPECIN, at 48:41
• 124. Luis Guillermo MAS BONET, CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA, at 50:14
• 125. Michael SCHWARZMANN, BORA-HANSGROHE, at 51:35
• 126. Chris HAMILTON, SUNWEB, at 52:08
• 127. Bakhtiyar KOZHATAYEV, ASTANA, at 53:44
• 128. Laurent DIDIER, TREK-SEGAFREDO, at 53:58
• 129. Nikita STALNOV, ASTANA, at 54:00