Itzulia Basque Country

A 2023 Itzulia with neither time trials nor – more importantly – the Arrate climb on its route. The Vuelta al País Vasco’s 62nd edition will be skipping the main feature left from its fusion with the Euskal Bizikleta, which, far from making the race become less of a symbol, turns it even more attractive and challenging without a mountain-top finish conditioning how the event unfolds.

The route will go ‘in crescendo’ over the week. Labastida’s finish (Monday 3rd) will be a good one for a sprint, even if an uphill one. And Leitza (Tuesday 4th) should see a solo rider or a reduced group coming across the line, because Arkiskil (Cat-2), even if long (11km), is gentle (3%) through that side. However, Amasa / Villabona (Wednesday 5th) should already be a first point of action for the GC contenders, with five short, sharp ascents in the finale -only one of which will be categorized- and a 2km, 6% final slope.

Thursday 6th will bring the La Asturiana ascent (Cat-2; 7.4km at 6.5%) right before a final descent into Santurtzi. On Friday 7th, some difficult slopes will be tackled prior to Amorebieta’s finish. And Saturday 8th will mark the Queen, decisive stage, with seven tough climbs: Elkorrieta (Cat-3), Azurki (Cat-1), Gorla (Cat-2), the brutal Krabelin (Cat-1) with 67km to go, Trabakua (Cat-3), Ixua (Cat-1) and San Miguel (Cat-3).