AJ August executed a superb breakaway victory on a soaking wet final stage of Itzulia Basque Country.
The young American claimed his first win at the WorldTour level in style, attacking on the final climb of the stage following a day in a large breakaway group.
August put in the confident acceleration with 12.3 kilometres to go, with only Raul Garcia (Movistar) able to follow before AJ kicked again with 10km to go. Cresting the final climb with a slender advantage, AJ made no mistakes on the treacherous descent, coming home to win by 16 seconds.
August had been joined in the group by Brandon Rivera for much of the day, with Peter Øxenberg also hitting out as part of a select lead group on a final day of climbing. The Dane would eventually slip back but would redeploy in support of Kevin Vauquelin.
Vauquelin was part of a thinned out GC group, which eventually split on the final climb, with the Grenadier holding on for 10th place overall.
Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) secured overall victory in the Basque Country. The young Frenchman was forced to attack heading into the closing stages, with the break appearing to threaten his overall lead.
