The hard but spectacular World Tour stage is scheduled between 4-9 April
The 61st edition of the Itzulia Basque Country kicks off with an individual time trial taking place over a rolling 7.5km course in charming Hondarribia. The prologue contains three unclassified climbs, some of which have double-digit gradients, and will establish an initial pecking order before two stages favouring a late attack, as both feature a small hill in the closing kilometers that can be easily used as springboard to victory.
Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital city of the Basque Country, will host the start of the fourth stage, one that is perfect for a breakaway. The battle between the overall contenders is expected to heat up on the penultimate day, when a highly selective route consisting of eight ascents will shake up the standings and set up the show for a brutal final stage, between Eibar and Arrate. The last of these climbs, averaging a gruesome 8.8% over 4.5 kilometers, is the cherry on the top of this complicated route that can turn the general classification on its head.
Rainbow jersey Julian Alaphilippe, who in 2018 became the first Frenchman in more than nine decades to take back-to-back stage victories at Itzulia, will return at the start after three years together with a team that will also include French Champion Rémi Cavagna, Dries Devenyns, Remco Evenepoel – a winner this season at the Volta ao Algarve, who will make his debut at the race – James Knox, Mauri Vansevenant and Louis Vervaeke.
“Itzulia is a hard event, one of the most difficult stage races of the whole season. At the same time, it’s an important step towards the Ardennes. We have a strong and motivated squad at the start of this edition, and we plan to take it day by day and see how things go in terms of general classification. We hope to have a good week and get some nice results to boost our confidence ahead of the Classics”, said Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sports director Klaas Lodewyck.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
