The Dutch Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime), recent winner of the Vuelta a España, is presented as the strong favorite for victory in Itzulia Basque Country 2024a test of the UCI World Tour that will take place this weekend from Friday to Sunday on the Basque roads.
Vollering has dominated the first two editions of the race, which he won in 2022 and in 2023 he gave way to the Swiss Marlen Reusser, a teammate who allowed him to escape in the last kilometers to win not only the third stage but also the overall when the Dutch I completely controlled the test.
As such, Reusser will wear bib number 1 in a race with the best in international cycling. Vollering, who is also the winner of the 2023 Tour de France and the star of the event, will wear the number 2.
With the two of them, among others, riders who also stood out in the Vuelta will fight for the final victory, such as the French Juliette Labous (DSM-Firmenich) and Evita Muzic (FDJ-SUEZ), fourth and fifth in the Spanish Cycle.
Movistar presents a team with Lucía Ruiz and Sheyla Gutiérrezalthough with the Cuban Arlenis Sierra and the Canadian Olivia Baril as the most important runners, and Laboral Kutxa will be led by Ane Santisteban.
They all have to tackle the 358.9 route which is divided into three stages with a total of nine high scores, three in each stage. The most important Jaizkibel (7.9 km at 5.6 percent gradient), First, in the final stage with a start and finish in San Sebastián and a route almost nailed to the Donostiarra Classic.
This will be the decisive day with a route of 114.9 km, Jaizkibel in its first half (km 42.6) and Mendizorrotz (Second, 4.1 km in 7.3) closer to the finish line, but still almost 30 km. In the middle, a Tercera, Gurutze (km.61.1).
Before the capital of Gipuzkoa decides the final winner on Sunday, the race starts on Friday in Vitoria, with a 140 km stage and the final in Elgoibar (Gipuzkoa). There are a total of 140 km and three stops, one in Segunda, Azkarate (km 88.5; 4.2 to 7.3), and two in Tercera, Olaeta (km 37.7) and Itziar (km 120.8). It is 20 km from arrival.
The second stage, Biscay, also has three ports. Starts and ends in Basauri, 104 km and includes another two Terceras, Sarasola (km.17.4) and Aretxabalgane (44.8), and a Segunda, Urruztigaina. It is a 1,200 meter wall at 12.6 percent located 40 km from the finish.
Source: La Verdad
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