"Jonas Vingegaard was untouchable" admits Ion Izagirre after Itzulia Basque Country podium

After clinching third at the Itzulia Basque Country ahead of David Gaudu, Ion Izagirre admitted that the eventual race winner, Jumbo-Visma's Jonas Vingegaard was simply on another level to the rest of the field.

“Since Jonas Vingegaard was untouchable this was the best that could be done," the Cofidis leader who has enjoyed a productive start to the season in his own right admits. "Jumbo -Visma controlled the race very well by putting two strong riders in Attila Valter and Steven Kruijswijk. They had everything under control."

Third placed overall at the Itzulia Basque Country for Izagirre comes quick on the heels of an impressive victory for the Spaniard at the GP Miguel Indurain on April the 1st. However despite him clearly having good legs he was unable to follow Vingegaard's attacks when they came.

"When Vingegaard left, there wasn't much agreement behind it, because everyone had their own interests to look forward to. I thought about the finale and took the bonus which earned me a podium which is very important for me," Izagirre explains. “A victory and a podium in the general classification, I think I can be satisfied. I came from Paris-Nice, where things hadn't gone very well, but I'm happy with results like this, on my home roads."