Sunday, March 31, 2024, 08:41
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In 1924, when the first Tour of the Basque Country was held, the bicycle was the symbol of modernity, of technical progress. Of mechanical perfection, an ingenuity as simple as it was perfect that could not fail to seduce the people of a place like this, where machines are mythological beings. A Frenchman then won, as it could not be otherwise. France, so close, a country so advanced that there were people who could dedicate themselves to riding a bicycle and nothing else. Tomorrow a new edition of the race starts (the 63rd) and, like a hundred years ago, the best runners in the world gather at the start. Today, as then, the bicycle is synonymous with modernity. Then it was the industry, now a sustainable future.
The poster of this Itzulia is led – once again – by the number one on the rankings. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma), the winner of the last two Tours de France and current champion of the Tour of the Basque Country, begins the defense of his title on a route less favorable for his characteristics, without high finishes and with an initial time trial very adapted to the conditions of his main rival, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal), hurt by his defeat at the hands of Jorgensen (Visma) in Paris-Nice and who is supported by Mikel Landa to form an unpredictable duo.
Favorites
Skjelmose, Ayuso, Gaudu, McNulty, Simon Yates, Hindley, Del Toro and Pidcock are the other candidates
Under normal conditions, the triumvirate of favorites would be completed by Primoz Roglic (Bora), but the Slovenian has not quite started this season, something very unusual for him, accustomed to performing at his best from day one. Cornerstone on which the Visma team was built, at 34 years old he has decided to change his scene and in Nice he could barely finish tenth. He focuses his entire season on one (last?) Assault on the Tour and will measure every effort. The Itzulia is the test that launched his career to the world’s first level. He won in 2018 and repeated in 2021, when he endorsed with an attack in Gorla a categorical defeat to Tadej Pogacar (UAE), the only major absentee among the big names of the stage tours at tomorrow’s start in Irun.
In front of them, the Basque assets are Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), little less than infallible in Itzulia, and Pello Bilbao (Bahrain), who arrives wanting to make up for his bad luck last year, when he fell ill before the start and had to retire at the end of the first stage. Both won the Tour de France last year and both have victories in the Tour of the Basque Country, in the case of the Ormaiztegiarra, including the overall victory that was achieved in 2019.
difficult to control
Vingegaard is the clear favorite because he sweeps wherever he runs and last year he took a walk through Euskadi. The last stage, starting and finishing in Eibar, should be the terrain where the Dane makes the difference, given a less difficult route than in previous editions. The Dane is capable of making differences in any field.
The Evenepoel-Landa clamp may be Vingegaard’s main problem, but not the only one, because the list of Itzulia participants is flashy. Aside from Pogacar and the classicists –who are officiating in Flanders these days–, the entire top part of the UCI ranking meets tomorrow in Irun.
The list is amazing: Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Ayuso (UAE), Kuss (Visma), McNulty (UAE) – winner yesterday in Estella –, Simon Yates (Jayco), Gaudu (Groupama), Hindley (Bora ), Carapaz (EF), Del Toro (UAE), Pidcock (Ineos)…
This constellation of figures, supported by the quality of the 18 World Tour teams, can make the race difficult to control for Visma, whose greatest advantage, paradoxically, may be the initial time, in theory less favorable for Vingegaard. Not taking the lead on the first day can be a factor to take into account.
Guipuzcoans
Alex Aranburu reappears after his fall in Mallorca and Xabier Berasategi, in a good moment with Euskaltel
A total of eight Gipuzkoan cyclists will be at the start, among them the three who play in a top category team. The Izagirre brothers are joined in Cofidis by Alex Aranburu (Movistar), who reappears after the broken collarbone he suffered in Mallorca. The Itzulia, due to its high level, is not a friendly race to return to activity, but the Ezkiota native had started the campaign very well and has the motivation to race at home.
The other six Gipuzkoans belong to ProTeam teams. Xabier Berasategi stands out at Euskaltel. The Olaberriarra arrives at a great time. He is accompanied by Enekoitz Azparren orange. His brother Xabier Mikel races with Q36.5, Unai Iribar with Kern Pharma and Gorka Sorarrain with Caja Rural.
In Euskadi he always runs at home
Winner in the Algarve and second in Paris-Nice, the Belgian always finds his magic on Basque roads. Tomorrow’s time trial favors him and the partnership he forms with Mikel Landa may end up becoming a headache for Vingegaard.
Without yet assimilating the change of jersey
After being the cornerstone on which the Jumbo-Visma team was built, the Slovenian has changed colors this year and his debut at Bora is not the usual one for him. He has only run Paris-Nice and was discreet (10th). He comes surrounded by a great team.
A hunter to remove his thorn
In 2023 he had to leave sick after barely covering the first stage. The Gernikarra is a hunter and returns to Itzulia with aspirations. He did not shine in Paris-Nice but he did shine in the UAE Tour. In 2022 he won the Amurrio stage beating Alaphilippe.
The unquestionable favorite
Winner in 2023, the Dane appears at the start after sweeping O Gran Camiño and Tirreno-Adriatico. Great favorite to retain the title, last year he won three stages in addition to the general, but in this edition with less harshness his day should be the last.
Looks out in Estella and Itzulia
Missing throughout the start of the season, yesterday he appeared in Estella (4th) and is now ready for Itzulia, his race. He has won (2019) and has stood on the final podium six times. At 35 years old, one more season, he will once again be at the center of the action.
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2024-03-31 06:41:52
#Itzulia #style
