Video: Van Avermaet wiped out by media moto at Clasica San Sebastian

A moto wiped out the likely winner of Clasica San Sebastian today, with the eventual victor then not realising he was first on the road. Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche, above, were in the thick of the action, taking 7th and 16th respectively.

 

The first major race after the Tour de France, Clasica San Sebastian, ended in dramatic fashion today when Greg Van Avermaet was knocked off his bike by a motorbike while leading in the closing stages.

Adam Yates (ORICA-GreenEDGE), who along with twin brother Simon has been taking pro cycling by storm of late, went on to win.

But he crossed the line not realising he was first on the road and had to have his victory confirmed before belatedly giving the victory salute.

Van Avermaet attacked the breakaway on the last climb of the 219km race and had forged a gap of 15 seconds over his chasers, which included Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche.

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But a radio tour moto ran into the Belgian leader from behind.

"It was a steep climb and the moto driver was too close to me," Van Avermaet said.

"He ran right into the back of my bike. My frame was broken and my back wheel was broken. So the race was over for me.

“I don't know what the moto driver was thinking. He did not say anything to me.

“Maybe he just gave it a little too much gas and ran into me?"

 

 

 

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Yates, who attacked on the climb after Van Avermaet did not realise the leader had fallen and believed he had finished 2nd.

However, he was taking the win, with former world champion and Van Avermaet’s team mate Philippe Gilbert taking the sprint behind Yates for 2nd from Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team).

Ireland’s Martin (Cannondale-Garmin) was 7th on the same time as Gilbert, with Roche (Team Sky) coming home in 16th place in the same group 15 seconds down on Yates.

"The bad thing is that I think I could have won the race," Van Avermaet said.

"I had a big gap. Maybe Yates could have come back, but I think I still could have been there in the sprint.

“It is not every year you can win a classic like San Sebastian. So this is really disappointing.”

 

 

Van Avermaet wiped out by moto

 

 

Yates realises he's won

 

 

 

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