Spain 07 Apr – 12 Apr 2025 Class 2.UWT – Stages – UCI WorldTour
Website www.itzulia.eus and https://www.instagram.com/ehitzulia/
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The Itzulia Basque Country, officially known as the Tour of the Basque Country, is a prestigious annual road cycling stage race 1 held in Spain’s Basque Country. Its history is rich and somewhat complex:
Source: 1. www.idlprocycling.com
Early Intermittent Editions (1924-1935):
- The race’s origins date back to 1924, with the first edition won by Frenchman Francis Pélissier.
- Between 1924 and 1935, there were eight editions of the race, known then as the Tour of the Basque Country or Vuelta al País Vasco.
- These early years were marked by inconsistency, with several years passing without the race being held. The Spanish Civil War is considered a major reason for its discontinuation during this period.
- Notably, one of these early editions is mentioned in Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel, “The Sun Also Rises.”
Revival and Merger (1952-1969):
- The race re-emerged in 1952 under a new guise: the Gran Premio de la Bicicleta Eibarresa, organized by the Eibar Cycling Club.
- This one-day race became a significant event in its own right.
- In 1969, a crucial turning point occurred. The Gran Premio de la Bicicleta Eibarresa merged with the original Tour of the Basque Country, marking the relaunch of the modern stage race we know today. Jacques Anquetil won this inaugural edition of the revived tour.
Consistency and Growth (1970s-Present):
- Despite being discontinued again in 1973, the race was successfully revived and has since become a consistent fixture on the international cycling calendar.
- Over the years, the management and organization of the race have seen some changes.
- In 2005, it became part of the UCI ProTour, now the UCI WorldTour, solidifying its place among the most important races of the season.
- The race has gained a reputation for its challenging and hilly terrain, attracting top international cyclists.
- In 2020, the race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The race celebrated its 100th anniversary since the first edition in 2024.
Key Characteristics:
- The Itzulia Basque Country is known for its short but demanding stages, often featuring numerous steep climbs with gradients exceeding 20%.
- It typically takes place in early April.
- The winner is traditionally awarded a Basque beret (txapela) on the podium, a unique symbol of victory.
Notable Winners:
- The race has been won by many cycling legends. The record for the most victories is held jointly by Spaniards José Antonio González and Alberto Contador, each with four wins.
- Other multiple winners include Sean Kelly and Tony Rominger with three victories each.
The Itzulia Basque Country continues to be a crucial race in the spring classics season, testing the climbing prowess and tactical skills of the world’s best riders on the challenging roads of the Basque Country.
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Luc Wirtgen – Tudor Pro Cycling Team
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
