It´s ‘Bidasoa Itzulia’ time: a historic and prestigious test
Vuelta al Bidasoa
Gipuzkoa, del miércoles 9 al sábado 12
A brief review of the list of winners is enough to deduce that this is not just a normal race. In Irún, riders such as Pello Ruiz Cabestany, Abraham Olano, Chechu Rubiera, Scott Sunderland, Carlos Sastre, Andrey Amador from Costa Rica have all won the race…. Even Luis Ocaña, in other times, has been a member of more fleeting or at least less constant organisations. The payroll is extensive. Although it was born in 1958, it is in 1982 when it is disputed uninterruptedly on an annual basis. And since then it has become a reference for the amateur field, not just in Spain, but on the continent, due to its unique harshness.
This is the Vuelta al Bidasoa, one of the jewels of Basque cycling in which the Polartec-Kometa U23, among the nineteen teams invited, will take part represented by the Italian Daniele Cantoni, Carlos García, Juan Pedro López, Jorge Pastor, Alejandro Regueiro, Alejandro Ropero and the Portuguese Daniel Viegas. A very powerful team for a demanding race where those who defend themselves well in the climb and do not lose heart in the descents will prevail. As always, this event will bring together the best of the state peloton and four foreign teams from Italy, Belgium, France and, sponsored by the UCI, Switzerland.
The menu is a classic where few changes are usually made. In 2018, the three first stages will repeat the previous year’s routes. On the route, there are obstacles such as the Jaizkibel (second stage), Aia (third stage) or the chained Aritxulegi, Agina and Erlaitz (fourth stage), which between the last two ports includes the passage through the wall of San Marcial, 2.4 km to 8% with ramps of 19%. A trap, for a demanding final day, which will be the great novelty of this 46th edition of the Vuelta al Bidasoa. Who will take over from today’s professional Sergio Samitier?
The stages.
9 May: Irún-Irrisarri Land (Igantzi), 104 km.
10 May: Hendaye-Hondarribia, 119.4 km.
11 May: Orio-Orio, 131.2 km
12 May: Irún-Irún, 77.7 km.
(automatic translation, sorry for mistakes)
