The historic Loinatz Proba in Beasain brings back the competitive activity of the U23 structure with its demanding route

94º Loinatz Proba
Beasain – Beasain (149,6 km)

After a short break after a first cycle of stage races in the Spanish calendar and the celebration of the national championships of the U23 category both in Spain and Italy, the competitive activity of the U23 structure of the Contador Foundation returns to the forefront with a historic one-day race, in the deepest sense of the term, in the Gipuzkoa region of Goierri (with a trip, however, also through Tolosaldea).

The Loinatz Proba – Memorial Ion Lazcano, which is approaching its centenary and for 35 editions was open to the professionals (until 1962), will gather this Sunday in Beasain a select peloton that, as far as the EOLO-KOMETA Cycling Team U23 is concerned, will count on the presence of Ramón Fernández, Arnau Gilabert, Antonio González, Fran Muñoz, Manuel Oioli, Andrea Pietrobon and Javi Serrano.

There are several races and in several categories that the SC Loinatz promotes during the season, but this July event is a small jewel in its crown both for its route and for its participation. And this has always been the case, with a list of winners that includes names such as the Montero brothers (Ricardo and Luciano, the latter a record holder with four victories), Hortensio Vidaurreta, Cosme Barrutia, Txomin Perurena, Vicente López Carril, Peio Ruiz Cabestany, Juan Tomás Martínez and Abraham Olano, among others.

The ascents of Larraitz (with its views of the scenic Mount Txindoki), Atagoiti (twice), Olaberria, Mandubia and Olaberria again, six kilometres from the finish, will mark the route of this edition of a race in which the blue team has achieved good results, such as the podium finishes of Miguel Ángel Ballesteros, third in 2015, or the second and third places of Alessandro Fancellu and Alejandro Ropero in 2019.