GP Ciudad de Eibar

A category bump for the GP Ciudad de Eibar as it becomes in its 6th edition a ProSeries event, just one step below WWT, with the return of the Arrate finish that brought the fans massive enjoyment back in 2021 with the Van der Breggen vs Van Vleuten duel. However, the climb won’t be tackled via Usartza, the traditional side of the ascent also known as Ixua, rather than the brutal Azitain slopes, with no flat whatsoever before the Sanctuary.

The whole race -116km in length- is, in fact, an approach towards the decisive climb. The three ascents prior to the finish are Itziar (4.5km at 4.4%); Aia -yet not the brutal ramp that the Itzulia once used, but than a gentler side, 4.3km at 4.3%-; and a second variant of Itziar -two sections, both below 4% avg.- crested with 27km to go, already on the way towards Eibar.

The first kilometer of Arrate, from the entrance to the Azitain industrial area to its exit, is ‘just’ 8%; the final 2.6km, absolutely unreal, are 13% average, with a maximum of 22%.