Aner Irizar, a cyclist from Gipuzkoa riding for Alimco-Campagnolo, was crowned the Euskadi Junior champion last Saturday in Amurrio. He triumphed in the sprint on Elexondo street, adding another title to his record, having previously won gold in the Basque Cyclocross Championship in Segura last December.

This victory marks the second road win of the season for the Zumarraga-based rider, who also won the Sallurtegi Prize in Salvatierra last April. In Amurrio, 149 cyclists participated in the 111-kilometer race, contending with intense heat.

Initially, Oier Puente of Baqué attempted an early breakaway, followed by Asier Alonso from Vitoria-Gasteiz. Later, Hodei Serrano and Udalatx Eguiguren joined them. However, during the fourth of five laps of Lezama, Aner Irizar took the lead, establishing a minute-and-a-half gap over the peloton.

Nevertheless, on the final climb of Zaraobe, he was caught by Eneko Ugartemendia, Manex Larrañaga, Lier Maguregi, and Amets Eguren. This quintet would go on to contest the podium positions, as other teams failed to place any riders at the front.

Irizar was confident that his physical condition and current form were well-suited to the final climb. This proved true as he clearly secured another gold medal, defeating Eneko Ugartemendia and Amets Eguren.

The first cyclist from Alava to cross the finish line was Aratz Sánchez, from the Ford Garaje Moderno team, in sixth place.

Meanwhile, Aitor Mitxelena finished second in the Vuelta a la Montaña Central in Asturias, also for the junior category, where Benjamín Noval was the overall winner.

Mitxelena, who will turn professional with INEOS next year, trailed Noval by over five minutes in the final general classification.

Diego Ruiz de Arcaute returned to competition last Saturday with another podium finish, securing second place in Villamediana de Iregua at the Clásica La Rioja-Memorial Arturo Grávalos, a race for U23 and elite cyclists.