Carlos Rodriguez and Brandon Rivera led home the Netcompany-INEOS riders after an aggressive day of racing at Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa.
Racing kicked off from the gun, when five riders launched the first significant move of the day. A counter-attack from three additional riders quickly bridged across, forming an eight-rider breakaway.
The race entered its decisive phase on the category one Erlaitz climb, a punchy 3.8-kilometre ascent averaging 10.6%.
The steep gradient splintered the race and prompted a succession of attacks from the front. By the final 45 kilometres the peloton had regrouped, but the pace remained extremely high as riders continued to launch moves from the front of the race.
A brief move saw two riders go clear before the race exploded again. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull – BORA Hansgrohe) attacked from a chasing group, with Brandon Rivera responding in pursuit.
The various groups eventually came back together inside the final 20 kilometres, setting up a tense finale. Further attacks followed, with Evenepoel going clear with Richard Carapaz (EF Education – EasyPost), and eventually took the win.
Carlos Rodriguez was the highest-placed finisher from the main bunch, with Rivera finishing in the same group after an active performance.