Sanchez wins San Sebastian

San Sebastian - Caisse d'Espargne rider Luis Leon Sanchez won the San Sebastian Classic cycling race on Saturday after beating Astana's Alexandre Vinokourov in a sprint finish.

Carlos Sastre of Cervezo was third ahead of Team RadioShack's Haimer Zubeldia, who trailed Sanchez by 34 seconds.

Vinokourov's attack four kilometres from the finish left Sastre out of contention but Sanchez stayed with the Kazakhstan cyclist, who was caught out at the finish after starting his sprint too early.

Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck of Team Saxo Bank abandoned the race halfway through. Organisers did not give a reason for the Luxembourg rider's pullout.

Results from the 234km San Sebastian Classic:

1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse D'Epargne/ESP) 5hr 47min 13sec
2. Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ) same time
3. Carlos Sastre (ESP) s.t.
4. Haimar Zubeldia (ESP) at 34sec
5. Joaquim Rodrguez (ESP) 37
6. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) s.t.
7. Robert Gesink (NED) s.t.
8. Nicholas Roche (IRL) s.t.
9. Samuel Sanchez (ESP) s.t.
10. Richie Porte (AUS) s.t.
11. Greg Avermaet (BEL) at 2min 14sec
12. Carlos Barredo (ESP) s.t.
13. Chris Sorensen (DEN) s.t.
14. Javier Moreno (ESP) s.t.
15. Eros Capecchi (ITA) 3:43

Selected:

25. Damiano Cunego (ITA) s.t.
38. Levi Leipheimer (USA) s.t.

Retired:

Andy Schleck (LUX)