This Friday it was presented andThe official route of Itzulia 2024. The presentation was made to plenary hall of the Irun City Council, a town that will host the first stage and the beginning of the second. The 63rd edition of the race will cross the border and enter French lands. In addition, the test phase will return to the time where the 6 days of a historical edition begin. Within 100th anniversary of the first edition of Itzulia wants the race to go through all of Euskal Herria.
Julian Eraso Presented, with the mayor of Irun, Cristina Laborda, the route of Itzulia 2024 that will take place from April 1 to 6 and where 832.1 km will be traveled. The route will again cross Gipuzkoa, Lapurdi, Nafarroa Behera, Navarra, Álava, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa, in that order, ending in the center of Éibar.
The Mayor of Irun, Cristina Laborda explained in his speech that “Irun is a land of cycling and it is good news that the city is starting one of the most important cycling events in our country, and moreover, on an anniversary as special as the centenary of the first edition. The fans of this sport, and the city in general, are lucky because we can enjoy a top-level sporting event what it means for the city: Good atmosphere, plans for all ages, and a great opportunity for our economy and urban tourism because it is a showcase to the world.
It is a race that Irun knows very well because it is not the first time that we host this sporting event: in 1975 this race visited our city for the first time and now, almost 50 years later, we will once again flood the streets as cyclists pass by. , with a transformed city and open to the world.
Furthermore, from the City Council, we will create a program of activities aimed at all people, from the youngest to the oldest, so that the citizens of Irun as well as the visitors can enjoy a day of sports and fun. In other words, another step in our efforts to make Irun a city of events and put us on the map of great events.”
THE STAGES, ONE BY ONE
1st Stage IRUN / IRUN 10.00 km
The time trial returns to Itzulia and does so on a short and not too demanding stage, but with some ramps. The first section will be important to get off to a good start and pick up the pace. There is a small cobblestone area with a 10% ramp at the start. That’s where we’ll see who’s serious. After a few ups and downs, the only climb begins, a 1.7km elevation at 5.2% that they have to do at full speed. From there, cross the entire Olaberria neighborhood down until you reach the ramp that leads up to the town hall square. No major differences are expected between the favorites except for the surprises.
2nd Stage IRUN / KANBO 160.00 km
The race will enter France on a stage with very difficult terrain. There is only one scoring pass, but these are roads with constant ups and downs. There are narrow areas where the peloton has to fight for position. This may be the escape phase.
3rd Stage EZPELETA / ALTSASU 190.90 km
The longest stage of the 2024 edition and also has 6 scoring mountain passes. With almost a set piece they will start the climb to Otsondo, a good place to make way for a strong and plentiful breakaway. The last two climbs will be able to determine the group that will reach the finish line in the lead.
4th Stage ETXARRI ARANATZ / LEGUTIO 157.50 km
We start with 25 km of false flatland and the climb to Opakua, a perfect escape port. After that, it’s a wasteland until crossing the finish line for the first time. In the last part of the circuit the thrill starts with 3 climbs, short but demanding. The final hill is crowned just 8km from the finish line.
5th Stage VITORIA-GASTEIZ / AMOREBIETA-ETXANO 175.90 km
The start is the only “quiet” part of the day until we descend the first of 4 passes to Amorebieta. From there the race will climb to Urkiola, first category, and enter a circuit where Muniketa will be climbed twice and another non-scoring slope. You pass the counter goal twice and Amorebieta two more times before reaching the finish line.
6th Stage EIBAR-EIBAR 137.80 km
As already experienced in 2023, this is the stage of the queen of Itzulia. A selective stage from the beginning and very demanding, where the men in the general classification will be the main protagonists of the day.
It is very important to have a good team to control it, as seen in previous editions.
Julian Eraso, president of OCETA, the organizing body, commented, “We have wanted to return to Iparralde, France for years. Many fans have been asking us for this, but it’s not easy. There are many jobs and conditions that make labor difficult. This year, where the race celebrates 100 years since the first edition, we have to achieve it.” He added, “Itzulia 2024 wants to unite all Basque fans to enjoy a very special edition. “
In this edition there will be 22 scoring mountain passes: 4 in the 1st category, 5 in the 2nd category and 13 in the 3rd category. There will be bonuses at the finish line (10”, 6”, 4”) and at intermediate sprints (3”, 2”, 1”).
Source: La Verdad
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