ADAM Yates admits it took a while to sink in after he claimed his first UCI WorldTour victory at Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian.

Just six days after completing his first Tour de France, the 22-year-old Bury racer crossed the line in surprise before it was confirmed he had won the biggest race of his young career.

Attacking from the peloton on the final climb with just 10 kilometres to go, the noise of the crowd prevented the former Bury Clarion rider from confirming his position on the road with his team staff as he approached the finish line.

“Incredible - I won, but I didn’t know I had won," said the ex-Derby High School pupil, who crossed the line in 5hrs 30mins 22secs, 15 seconds ahead of a star-packed field that included his twin brother Simon.

“I spoke on the radio to my sport director but because of the crowds the radio was too quiet.

“On the final climb there was a breakaway still up the road. Then there was a lot of carnage on the climb, there was a crash with a motorbike, and so I just went full gas.

“At the time I didn’t know if I had reached the lead or not.”

Yates, who races for Australian team ORICA-GreenEDGE, returned to the Spanish one-day race 12-months after riding himself into a winning position over the final climb only to crash and suffer concussion on the final descent to the line.

He also crashed at the Tour of the Basque Country not far from the area earlier in the season so was thrilled to redeem some unfinished business.

“For sure this is the biggest win of my career,” Yates said. “And it’s my first victory this year.

“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.”

Sport director Neil Stephens praised Yates’ professionalism to ensure a quick turnaround from the Tour de France.

“Coming into the last 20km we had five riders still in the race,” Stephens said. “Pieter Weening said he was OK but that he would do the work. He was able to get Adam to a really good position and from there Adam just showed he is in phenomenal form.

“The TV coverage went down so no one could see but (Philippe) Gilbert - who finished second - and (Alexanjro) Valverde - in third - were talking to our staff members at the podium and they said it was unbelievable. When he went there was just no response and that was it.

“As soon as the Tour de France finished last Sunday, Adam’s preparation for the San Sebastian started. He has been really focused in training and the way he has looked after himself and he deserves the win.”