The 63rd edition of the Tour of the Basque Country, also known as Itzulia Basque Country, kicks off this coming Monday, April 1st, in Irun with a challenging time trial. The race culminates on the following Saturday, April 6th, with a grueling battle around Eibar that will test the endurance of even the toughest cyclists.
This year’s route in northern Spain caters perfectly to climbers and punchers. While there’s no mountaintop finish to crown the king of the climbs, the Basque Country’s signature steep hills and mountains promise a relentless and exciting competition throughout the week.
Following criticism from riders regarding the downhill finish in the previous edition, deemed ‘shameful’ and ‘excessively dangerous’, the 2024 Itzulia Basque Country route has been carefully curated to avoid similar scenarios.
Top contenders like Primoz Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe), Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease A Bike), and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) can anticipate a challenging route filled with climbs in this year’s race.
Spanning from April 1st to 6th, the 832.1km course was unveiled in the stage 1 start town of Irun, promising an intriguing showdown amongst the peloton.
Notably, it marks the first 2024 showdown between at least three of the principal favorites for the upcoming Tour de France, with only Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) absent.
The route features a short opening time trial, making a return after a two-year hiatus, along with five stages characterized by relentless climbs and technical descents.
Organizers have opted to repeat stage 6 of the 2023 race, a move likely welcomed by Vingegaard, who secured victory in convincing fashion last year.
This stage, renowned for its challenging terrain, saw the Dane break away to secure a significant victory, setting a precedent for his future ambitions.
With a total of 22 classified climbs and time bonuses available at each finish, the 2024 Itzulia Basque Country promises an aggressive and fiercely contested race, offering ample opportunities for riders to showcase their prowess on the demanding terrain.
Routes stage of Basque Country
| Date | Time in CET | Stage | Location | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, April 1 | 14:10-17:17 h | Stage 1 | Irun-Irun (ITT) | 10km |
| Tuesday, April 2 | 13:21-17:18 h | Stage 2 | Irun-Kanbo | 160km |
| Wednesday, April 3 | 12:43-17:16 h | Stage 3 | Ezpeleta-Altsasu | 190.9km |
| Thursday, April 4 | 13:31-17:18 h | Stage 4 | Vitoria-Gasteiz – Amorebieta | 175.9km |
| Friday, April 5 | 13:06-17:17 h | Stage 5 | Amorebieta – Amorebieta | 165.9km |
| Saturday, April 6 | 13:47-17:20 h | Stage 6 | Eibar – Eibar | 137.8km |
The opening day sets off the race with a relatively calm pace, featuring a solo time trial covering just 10 kilometers with a brief mid-course climb. While this distance will likely establish an initial ranking among the General Classification (GC) contenders, it is not expected to create significant time gaps. However, it’s noteworthy that in both 2018 and 2021, Primož Roglič emerged victorious in the time trial stages, showcasing his prowess in this discipline throughout the Itzulia Basque Country race’s history.
On the second stage of the 2024 Itzulia, cyclists depart from Irun and embark on a sweeping loop through the picturesque landscapes of the French Basque country before concluding in Kanbo. Although the route avoids major climbs, there is a categorized ascent at Saint-Ignace, rated as a cat. 3. The terrain remains undulating throughout the stage, culminating in an uphill sprint finish, adding an extra layer of excitement to the race.
Stage 3 of the Itzulia intensifies the climbing challenge, spanning a 190.9km route from Ezpeleta to Altsasu. This demanding stage features six categorized climbs and entails over 3,000 meters of elevation gain, including three category 2 and category 3 ascents. The arduous journey commences with a daunting 7.8km ascent to Otxindo right from the starting line. As the stage progresses, cyclists encounter a formidable 6.3km climb within the final 20km, potentially eliminating most sprinters from contention. However, a flat plateau preceding the finish line may offer them a chance to bridge back into the race.
Stage 4 closely resembles the terrain of the preceding day, albeit with fewer climbs and a less steep ascent leading to the flat finish. Spanning 157.5km from Etxarri Aranatz to Legutio, this stage presents the sprinters with their second-best opportunity to contend for a victory in the race.
The fifth stage, spanning from Vitoria-Gasteiz to Amorebieta-Etxano, begins calmly but ramps up the intensity halfway through the 175.9km route as riders confront the challenging category 1 climb at Urkiola. Stretching over 5.5km with an average gradient of 9.4%, this ascent sets the stage for the subsequent two laps of a 26.8km circuit. The circuit includes two climbs—one categorized as cat 3 and a smaller uncategorized ascent—just before the thrilling finish in the cycling enthusiast haven of Amorebieta.
The Itzulia organizers have reserved the queen stage for the grand finale—a challenging series of loops around Eibar featuring seven categorized climbs.
On Stage 6, the race leader will encounter the ultimate test, as the route packs in three first-category ascents, three second-category climbs, and a final third-category challenge near the finish in Ermua, all within a mere 137.8km.
The stage commences with the ascent of the cat 3 Elkorrieta climb, leading to the more demanding Azkuri climb (5.1km at 7.4%), immediately succeeded by the lengthy Gorla climb (9.6km at 5.7%). Following closely is the formidable cat 1 Krabelin climb (5km at 9.6%), cresting shortly after the midway point of the stage. The grueling route continues with three more climbs, including the cat. 1 Izua (4.1km at 9.2%) with 27.8km remaining and the gentler Urkaregi (5km at 4.8%) before the finish.
With minimal recovery opportunities between each ascent and everything on the line, the final stage of the Itzulia Basque Country is notorious for its unpredictability. Although some fans may lament the absence of Mount Arrate, Euskadi’s iconic climb, for the second consecutive year, there is no doubt that the challenging 2024 route will produce a deserving successor to Jonas Vingegaard, the 2023 champion.
When and Where Itzulia Basque Country 2024 Occurred
The 2024 Tour of the Basque Country (officially known as Itzulia Basque Country 2024) is a road cycling stage race that will take place between 1 and 6 April 2024 in the titular region in northern Spain and southern France.
How to Watch Itzulia Basque Country 2024
The race will be broadcast for most of Europe through Eurosport and Discovery+. Streaming coverage will also be available worldwide including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA, but double-check territory restrictions to avoid disappointment.
Preview of Itzulia Basque Country 2024
Be prepared for exhilarating showcase of cycling prowess as the Itzulia Basque Country 2024 gears up for action. From April 1st to 6th, cycling enthusiasts around the world will be treated to six days of thrilling racing across the stunning landscapes of the Basque Country.
Featuring a challenging route filled with climbs, descents, and unpredictable terrain, this year’s edition promises to be a true test of skill, endurance, and strategy for the riders.
With each stage presenting its own unique challenges, including time trials, sprint finishes, and grueling mountain ascents, the competition is sure to be intense from start to finish.
Top contenders like Primož Roglič, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel are set to battle it out for glory, while emerging talents and seasoned veterans alike will vie for stage wins and overall honors.
As the peloton navigates through picturesque towns and scenic countryside, fans can expect plenty of drama, excitement, and breathtaking moments along the way. Whether you’re a die-hard cycling fan or a casual observer, the Itzulia Basque Country 2024 promises to deliver an unforgettable spectacle of elite cycling at its finest.
Don’t miss a moment of the action as the world’s best cyclists tackle the challenges of the Basque roads in pursuit of victory.
