The Santikutz Klasika continues a demanding week in the Basque Country
The Santikutz Klasika will mark the start of the second half of the under-23 Copa de España. The 7th round of the national competition will take the riders to the Gipuzkoa town of Legazpi for the 90th edition of the Basque ‘Klasika’. Gabriele Raccagni is the best placed rider in the general classification for the team in 10th position with Dario Giuliano 14th.
In Legazpi, the team will present practically the same squad as in the Bidasoa Itzulia. The only rider who will not repeat this week in the Basque Country will be Balint Feldhoffer. In his place, Pablo García will be in the start line.
The Basque race will have a very demanding profile during its 151 kilometres, with more than 2100 meters of positive ascent with 11 climbs that the riders will have to face, as well as several other climbs that will not count for the mountain classification prize, such as the climb to Zerain or the extreme ‘Kirtenberg’ with its 500 meters above 14.5% average gradient.
After a start on completely favourable terrain, Azkarate (3rd) will be the first difficulty of the day. Back to the starting point in Legazpi, the section that had first been favorable, now in reverse direction, will take the cyclists to Atagoiti (on its easy side) to descend to the first climb to Liernia (3rd) and start the two turns to Aiztiria (3rd) with the climbs again to Liernia (3rd) and Eizaga (3rd) in between, as well as the aforementioned Kirtenberg wall on the second turn. Closing the second turn with the descent of Aiztiria, they will reach the foot of Liernia (3rd) to climb for the fourth time and finish the race with the ascent of Gabiria (3rd) and Ataogiti (3rd) one after the other, with the summit of the latter just three kilometres from the finish line.
Miguel Gómez will lead the team in the Copa de España races in the Basque Country starting in Legazpi: “The riders are in a good mood and with a very good atmosphere after Bidasoa.
It is the same block, but Pablo replaces Balint. The race is selective, with the final climbs at the end, hard and without much room for manoeuvre. It tends to lead to a select group arriving and playing for the victory among themselves, with the mathematics of the cup also in the balance”.
The team will fight for the first victory of the season in the prestigious tournament that still resists: “As a team, I am optimistic, as we have clear options for its dispute, with three men with similar profiles, not equal and very complementary to each other, without forgetting the work of the team in these races, which is key at all times”.
Pablo García will be a fundamental part of the team that will compete both on Wednesday and Sunday in Gipuzkoa. He remembers his two previous participations as very selective: “The first half of the race is usually marked by crashes that can reduce your chances in the end. And the final part is a chain of climbs and descents that selects the group. Often it is your own strength that determines the result, although it also gives you the chance to play strategically because they are not very hard climbs except for the Kirtenberg wall and the Alto de Gabirira”.
García will arrive with a lot of work done before the race after almost a month without competition: “I only raced in Torredonjimeno, but I had a puncture when I was in the breakaway and my race was over because the cars were coming very far away. I had to change bikes three times. It was the only race I’ve done recently. I’ve been very focused on working at home and I’m really looking forward to it. In the absence of competition the sensations can’t be better, although we know that the competition puts you in your place, but I think I’m doing very well”.
Santikutz Klasika: Legazpi – Legazpi (151,15km)
Photos: Ziklix / Bidasoa Itzulia
