Itzulia Basque Country

Elkorrieta, Azurki, Gorla, Krabelin, Trabakua, Izua, and Urkaregi were the seven classified climbs that spiced up the last stage of the World Tour race, held around Eibar. Hoping to take advantage of the rough terrain, a massive 23-man breakaway took off and opened a 3:30-minute gap which at one point looked promising, until it began to melt on the Krabelin, when the GC teams decided to ramp up the pace.

It was there, on the hardest ascent of stage seven, that William Junior Lecerf attacked and got a nice margin over the reduced bunch. The young neo-pro, runner-up in February at the AlUla Tour, stayed up the road until just before the top of the climb, where the favourites linked up with him.

On the next hill, several riders accelerated from the group and ended up fighting for victory, which went to Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers), while his countryman Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) wrapped up the general classification. Lecerf was our first man home, finishing Itzulia Basque Country also as Soudal Quick-Step’s highest-ranked rider.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images