Balmasedako Emakumeen Saria

The second half of the Spanish National Series starts with what’s arguably the toughest race of all competitions included in the Cup. With just 80km in length, the traditional route of the Balmasedako Saria -means ‘Balmaseda Prix’ in Basque language; 22nd edition of this event long part of the region’s Torneo Euskaldun- contains up to six climbs of diverse consideration, with not much room for rest and a very challenging final circuit, made for talented mountain specialists… like Eider Merino, who will be racing in her hometown on Saturday 5th May.

The first of the two circuits, just over 60km long, will feature four ascents to Gobeo / Otxaran from Zalla, a 1.3km slope at almost 5% gradient which will surely make for a significant selection, especially when combined with the shorter climb to Mallabrigo (700m, 5.6%). After the final intermediate sprint, 24km before the end, the decisive loop will start, with two important climbs: Avellaneda (1.7km, 5.5% average, 10% maximum) and, above that one, Beci: four kilometers at 6% crested just 6km from the finish, which will make it become absolutely decisive.