The Clásica San Sebastián is Spain’s only one day race on the UCI WorldTour calendar.

Little wonder then that the home nation’s top riders were keen to prove themselves on the return to professional racing after the Olympic Games.

Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank), Spain’s national time trial champion, gave a further demonstration of his strength in the breakaway, used to similarly impressive effect on stage 14 of the Tour de France, to be the first of three home riders in the top 10.

Team Sky gave every indication of their ability to continue where they left off in Grand Tours with strong rides here from Rigoberto Uran and Richie Porte. Both will race again this week on Spanish soil, the next time in support of Chris Froome in the Vuelta.

Here are some of the best moments of the Clásica San Sebastián, witnessed through the lens of Stefano Sirotti.

Someone returned to WorldTour duties with a new jersey

…and with a new bicycle. Alexandr Vinokourov relives his Olympic joy

The Clásica San Sebastián is one of the WorldTour’s most picturesque races

…and one of the hilliest, hence its attraction to riders with the power to conquer short, steep climbs

All three men have stood on the top step of WorldTour podiums this year, but Gerrans and Meersman had to be content with second and third at the Clásica