Euskal Herriko Itzulia 2018 - April 2-7

[TourOfSardinia]

This is a beautiful race. The nature is stunning. I have ridden the Jaizkibel, very steady. I think the action will be on the steeper climbs. I hope we will se some action.

Let the Landa hype train begin!

this!

 

[Robert5091]

Nice to be able to see the whole 102 page road book with lots of info -
https://www.itzulia.eus/ldr/Libro de Ruta Itzulia 2018 low.pdf

Edit - I see A.Yates not riding. :sad:

 

[DFA123]

Re: Re:

Flat time trial must make the Izagirre brothers the favorite - They could take a minute plus off some GC contenders.

Porte will have something to say about that.

And Roglic. He could take the best part of a minute of Izagirre.

 

[Robert5091]

Giant talking bidon! :surprised:

 

[Alexandre B.]

Re: Re:

Flat time trial must make the Izagirre brothers the favorite - They could take a minute plus off some GC contenders.

Porte will have something to say about that.

And Roglic. He could take the best part of a minute of Izagirre.

I don't know how his climbing goes but De la Cruz is one to watch.

 

[johnymax]

If he isn't involved in any crash Roglič has a very good chance to take the win I think. Normally Porte should be the strongest in a one week stage race but his form is a mystery to me right now. I agree that De la Cruz is also one to watch with the Izagirre brothers, Landa and Quintana of course. Špilak and Zakarin didn't look that bad in GP Miguel Indurain either. Also curious to see how will Nibali do.

 

[DNP-Old]

Re: Re:

Flat time trial must make the Izagirre brothers the favorite - They could take a minute plus off some GC contenders.

Porte will have something to say about that.

Porte's main objective for this race is to just get some miles into his legs. Caruso will be leading the team.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

Go Rogla!!

 

[Climbing]

Seems a challenging route, thank OP and LS for the detailed profiles.

 

[jonan92]

In half an hour ETB will start the livestream, it may be geo-blocked, you can find it here

 

[Escarabajo]

Thanks LS for the profiles.
Some climbs look harder that what the show in the first page. The average can be misleading for some of the climbs that have some flats or descents in between.

 

[Arredondo]

Interesting Itzulia-route this year actually, because you well have a big fight between the 'pure' climbers (Landa, Quintana, Uran, Teuns, Bardet, maybe Latour), the guys with allround capacities (Izagirre brothers, De La Cruz, Porte) and the GC guys who have to make their mark in the ITT (Roglic, Kwiat) to have a chance for the overall victory.

I like it, because it will create a different racing dynamic and approach. Especially if you compare it to earlier editions, where the climbers were heavily in favor.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Wouldn't put Latour in the list with Landa, Quintana and Bardet as a pure climber. He has a very good TT in his legs.

 

[jens_attacks]

Landa meana in cobo 2007 mode.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Well, we can go back in time, since it's the first World Tour race for Aitor González...

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

Wouldn't put Latour in the list with Landa, Quintana and Bardet as a pure climber. He has a very good TT in his legs.

That's why i say maybe

I know he's the former French champion ITT, by beating Chavanel. But i don't know if he can lay his foundation in a purely flat TT.

 

[armchairclimber]

It is indeed a lovely looking stage this. Decent crowds at the start/finish stretch too.

 

[Red Rick]

How hard is it to solo home if you crest the top of the final climb alone?

 

[Arredondo]

Re:

How hard is it to solo home if you crest the top of the final climb alone?

Not that hard i suppose.

I mean, the descent isn't steep at all. So maybe it's possible for guys like Alaphilippe or Kwiat (good descenders) to bridge some small gaps.

But i don't think you can bridge a gap of 10/15 seconds.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Re:

It is indeed a lovely looking stage this. Decent crowds at the start/finish stretch too.

Zumaia and Getaria are among my favourite places along the Basque coast.

 

[armchairclimber]

Re: Re:

It is indeed a lovely looking stage this. Decent crowds at the start/finish stretch too.

Zumaia and Getaria are among my favourite places along the Basque coast.

They've definitely gone onto my "must visit" list next time I'm down in Green Spain. I do love that north coast.

 

[Robert5091]

Breakaway could take this ...

 

[Robert5091]

.. unless the peloton wakes up!

 

[Kazistuta]

I don't think so.

Does anyone know why König didn't line up anyway? He was scheduled for the race, but continues to be an enigma....

 

[Frankschleck]

Re:

I don't think so.

Does anyone know why König didn't line up anyway? He was scheduled for the race, but continues to be an enigma....

i am nervous about this as well, i have a theory that he still has problems with his knee, but don't know.