Time for a classic among the classics related to the 1st of May

If the calendar marks the first of May, there is a race in Legazpi on that day. The tradition. And the festive link between cycling, a popular sport since time immemorial, and the festivals of many towns in the north, especially in the Basque Country. In 2023, too; it arrives on 1 May and with the day, the Telleriarteko Txirrindulari Ekartea organises the Santikutz Klasika. It will also count towards the Spanish Cup for Elite and U23 riders.

Edoardo Alleva, Gabriele Bessega, Arnau Gilabert, Antonio González, Sebastiano Minoia, Fran Muñoz, Gabriele Raccagni are the seven cyclists chosen by the technical staff of the Contador Foundation to face a race that both Muñoz and Raccagni already know well (Gilabert was here two seasons ago) and in which the blue team came close to victory in 2022 with the help of the now professional Davide Piganzoli, fourth the previous year. In the last two editions, the EOLO-KOMETA Cycling Team U23 has climbed the podium as the best team of the day.

A very demanding race, with fifteen orographic difficulties in the route, which increases its mileage with respect to the last year. Liernia, Minas or Aiztiria or Gabiria will continue to be ingredients on the menu, but the last altimetric dish on this occasion will be the ascent to Atagoiti on the Ormaiztegi side, which is longer, but also steeper. In any case, a race that is sure to be very tough for all the participants, with the additional forecast of rain on Monday.

89th Santikutz Klasika: Legazpi-Legazpi (167.2 km).