Durango-Durango/1.2

[WindLessBreeze]

It's great to hear Europe hasn't forgotten completely about women races. The usual suspect finished first (Vos injured)....I'm glad to see that not only Asia and USA hold races..............................

 

[Zam_Olyas]

This should be the race song Romance in Durango - Bob Dylan

 

[Libertine Seguros]

That's about a different Durango.

This is the Durango at the base of the Urkiola. Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria is a one-day race which precedes the Iurreta-Iurreta Emakumeen Bira, one of the biggest stage races on the women's calendar. It's basically what used to be the Euskal Bizikleta - the women's race followed the same format as the men's, and has outlived it; like a few other Spanish races, it has a one-day race to precede it (like the Subida al Naranco traditionally has been for the Vuelta a Asturias or the GP Big Mig for País Vasco, or the Clasica a Almería for the Ruta del Sol).

They've done away with the mountain TT this year (used to be half of a double-stage day), but the TT they have isn't easy anyhow. The queen stage is the last one; it sadly involves climbing the wrong side of the Urkiola (which means not much of a climb, but then a long, steep and difficult descent into Durango), before a loop around Iurreta with a decent sized climb on it.

It might be this one:

But it might be the first 5km of this one:

I'd expect to see the likes of Pooley, Häusler and co try to make this one difficult, while the likes of Cooke and Arndt will of course be overall threats. Hoping for Sylwia Kapusta and Anna Sanchis to show well too - they're very much climbers, and so this will be one of few opportunities for them to show what they can do.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Yeah i know...still durango..that is why.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Could have been about Santiago Durango, guitarist with Naked Raygun and the awesome Big Black.

 

[WindLessBreeze]

Lizzy and Emma

I am glad to see that Libertine is so knowledgeable; Also found it rather reinforcing to know both women placed well: Beauty, Brains, and skills. Great

 

[WindLessBreeze]

Women Pro-Racing in Pais Vasco/2.1

Los Vascos se respetan/Los Vascos no cogen esa! Las mujeres tienen peso especifico, highest per capita in the Peninsula with only 5 million people......(Spanish*Side)....3+2=1.......And Euskatel Sigueeeeeeeeeeeeeee