Adam Yates: Briton claims biggest cycling win of career

Britain's Adam Yates claimed the biggest win of his career at the Clasica San Sebastian one-day race.

Bury's Yates, 22, held off a group of chasing riders to cross the finish line first in the 219km race but was initially unaware he had won.

The Orica GreenEDGE rider moved clear of the pack in the final climb, a steep seven-kilometre ascent from the end.

Belgium's Philippe Gilbert finished second and Spain's Alejandro Valverde was third, both 15 seconds back.

Another Belgium - Greg van Avermaet - had been leading the race but crashed out when a TV motorbike ran into him with less than 10km to go.

"I won, but I didn't know I had won. I spoke on the radio to my sport director but because of the crowds the radio was too quiet," said Yates.

He returned to the Spanish race 12 months after riding himself into a winning position only to crash and suffer concussion on the final descent.

Yates added: "In 2014 I went to the Tour of Basque Country got sick and crashed, last year's San Sebastian I crashed and this year's Tour of Basque Country I crashed again. Normally when I come here I don't do anything, just crash.

"It's fantastic, hopefully I can come back next year and defend my title."