I don't know why it would be a shock to you if Ayuso finished secondThat would be a shocker
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I don't know why it would be a shock to you if Ayuso finished secondThat would be a shocker
I think the others are closer to Remco on a technical course. On a flat easy course, Remco's power is to his advantage.Evenepoel is pretty great on a TT bike, even when it's technical. I don't understand where this narrative comes from.
I just don't see him yet on the same level as R&R.I don't know why it would be a shock to you if Ayuso finished second
Last year Ayuso comfortably beat Remco in both the TdS and Vuelta.I just don't see him yet on the same level as R&R.
I'm so happy Izagirre actually won this.Scanning the race's palmres, they must be getting something right with the course.
Those podiums aren't filled with donkeys.
Palmares Itzulia Basque Country
Overview of winners per edition. The last winners of Itzulia Basque Country are Jonas Vingegaard (2023), Daniel Felipe MartÃnez (2022) and Primož RogliÄ (2021).www.procyclingstats.com
Hikaru?You have Vingegaard, Roglic and Evenepoel and the route is, to paraphrase one of the chess players of all time: "So bad, soooo bad. So bad chat. That's so bad."
I am convinced Roglic 2021 was his best edition ever. Proven in Itzulia's crazy opening ITT and then the final stage that you mention, Olympic games as well as his best ever Vuelta performance. If only he didn't crash out, what a Tour that would have been...Roglič has attacked on Krabelin before. He did it in 2021 when he accelerated to stop Pog from re-joining the front group & he did it again in 2022 when he was riding in support for Vingo.
For me the key will be how much energy he's expended before Krabelin. Like if there's a split early on stage 6 & he has to work on the chase, then yes it'll be an issue. But I think both Rog & Evenepoel will surprise some people next week.
Just a hunch.
I don’t see Yates making the podium. I’m more unsure about what to expect of Ayuso. He could well have an eye on the Ardennes.Not sure why folks are talking about Remco and Rog, at least one guy from the UAE will be ahead of them in the GC.
TdS was the first race after covid for Evenepoel.Last year Ayuso comfortably beat Remco in both the TdS and Vuelta.
Bilbao is a must, and then the country and it's villages like Elorrio, Orduña, Antoñana, Otxandio, Labastida.Not to get too off topic but does anybody happen to have 2 cents of advice to someone visiting the Basque Country for a few days in summer looking for things to do and see?
San Sebastian definitely.Not to get too off topic but does anybody happen to have 2 cents of advice to someone visiting the Basque Country for a few days in summer looking for things to do and see?
I might be wrong and it might just be my impression but I think Evenepoel generally takes less risks in a TT and is a bit more conservative in technical parts than for example Vingegaard or Ayuso.Evenepoel is pretty great on a TT bike, even when it's technical. I don't understand where this narrative comes from.
You could say the same thing about Rog and Remco, couldn't you?I don’t see Yates making the podium. I’m more unsure about what to expect of Ayuso. He could well have an eye on the Ardennes.
TdS was the first race after covid for Evenepoel.
When did he beat Evenepoel in a TT in the Vuelta? Evenepoel almost put 1min on him in 2023, and +2min in 2022.
Ah I see what you mean. Yeah I agree that he might be a bit more risk averse if he wasn't able to properly scout the race.I might be wrong and it might just be my impression but I think Evenepoel generally takes less risks in a TT and is a bit more conservative in technical parts than for example Vingegaard or Ayuso.
I agree he can be great on the TT bike technically but I feel like that usually happens in TT's that he has specifically prepared for and has been able to recon multiple times.
Well, if Ayuso is a better stage racer than Remco, then there is no hope.I wouldn't say the same about Rogla, no. Ardennes are an afterthought for him. Agreed for Evenepoel.
All true. He's been exactly where he should be to prep for the Tour IMO. What I think is being said is that he doesn't look like he did at the start of the Giro or Vuelta when he was absolutely flying. But to your point, why should he be? Because the other aliens are? Not sure that's a bar he's gonna be able to meet.unconvincing?
He literally has a win and a second. The one he finished second, he took the points and mountain jerseys along with a stage win
The automatic criticism of any route is what leads, and happens without exception. The criticism of the incessant criticism is a natural reaction. I don't know that either is "lazy", certainly the latter isn't. But certainly the former is tiresome.What is more lazy: to automatically criticise any route or to automatically criticise any criticism of routes?
Where are you staying? The Euskotren is a rickety old narrow-gauge but will be a gateway to a lot of small towns and coastal areas. Bermeo is a beautiful fishing town, Durango is a scenic old town with a lot of cycling tradition, San Sebastián has its beautiful beach and the scenery above it. Eibar is worth a visit regardless of the cycling tradition. The Gipuzkoan side of the Euskotren is full of stops at picturesque coastal towns like Deba, Zarautz and so on. My favourite of these is Zumaia. East of Donostia you can go into Irún and across the French border into Hendaia which is the last stop on the line; it's easy to walk from there to the end station of the French rail network and visit the Côte Basque towns like Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Biarritz too. On Bilbao Metro you can see Portugalete's transporter bridge or head out to Plentzia's large, wide beach. There's also the funicular up to La Reineta which offers fantastic views as well.Not to get too off topic but does anybody happen to have 2 cents of advice to someone visiting the Basque Country for a few days in summer looking for things to do and see?
Judging by their last two meetings he is.Well, if Ayuso is a better stage racer than Remco, then there is no hope.
Irrelavent, as far as I'm concerned: Tour de Suisse after Giro COVID-19 and Vuelta after an ill-prepared approach, as an afterthought and with the WCITT. Now is the time to assess.Judging by their last two meetings he is.
The climbs in this race here are Remco territory though, so I would give him the advantage.
However, with a climb like La Punt that was in TdS and Ayuso would smoke him in this race... might still do anyway.
Overall favorite is of course Vingegaard though.