Forget about Flanders, which is on sunday. The real race will be on saturday!! A real classic on its own, but also an important final test for País Vasco. Of course i'm talking about the Gran Premio Miguel Indurain, named after one of the best cyclists of the entire history. Big Mig: 5-time winner of the Tour, 2 time winner of the Giro, multiple Dauphinés, Paris-Nice, Catalunya's and World and Olympic champion ITT. But he also won this race, in 1987, back then known as the GP Navarra.
In the past, other big riders won this race: José Perez Frances (1961 and 1963), Miguel Maria Lasa (1971, 1974 and 1978), Domingo Perurena (1973), Perico Delgado (1988 and 1990), Alex Zulle (1996), Paco Mancebo (1998) and Stefano Garzelli (1999).
If we look at the big 4 (yes, Samu too) of current Spanish cycling, Purito (2010), Sammy Sanchez (2011) and Valverde (2014) won this race. However, a fellow countrymen and current cyclist, who will also compete this year, has won it even more often. Angel Vicioso won it 3 times during his career: in 2001, 2002 and last year. He will try to be sole leader with 4 victories. At the moment, he keeps the record with Hortensio Vidaurreta, who won the first three editions in 1951, 1952 and 1953.
Winners of this race from 2010
2010: Joaquim Rodriguez
2011: Samuel Sanchez
2012: Dani Moreno
2013: Simon Spilak
2014: Alejandro Valverde
2015: Angel Vicioso
Route
Like all the previous years, the race will (likely) be decided on the final climb of Basilica de Puy. It's a short, steep climb which perfectly suits the puncheurs.
Favorites
Katusha: Purito, Vicioso, Spilak
Movistar: Quintana, Dani Moreno, Ion Izagirre
Cannondale: Slagter, Moser
Sky: Sergio Henao, Landa (you never know)
Orica: Adam Yates, Txurukka
Caja Rural: Jose Goncalves, Madrazo, Bilbao
Novo Nordisk: Megias
One Pro Cycling: Dion Smith
Euskadi: Estevez, Bravo
Burgos-BH: Torres
Spain: Christian Rodriguez, Amezqueta
W52: Veloso, Mestre
Radio Popular: Sousa
Inteja: Diego Milan
Share your thoughts and likely winners!
In the past, other big riders won this race: José Perez Frances (1961 and 1963), Miguel Maria Lasa (1971, 1974 and 1978), Domingo Perurena (1973), Perico Delgado (1988 and 1990), Alex Zulle (1996), Paco Mancebo (1998) and Stefano Garzelli (1999).
If we look at the big 4 (yes, Samu too) of current Spanish cycling, Purito (2010), Sammy Sanchez (2011) and Valverde (2014) won this race. However, a fellow countrymen and current cyclist, who will also compete this year, has won it even more often. Angel Vicioso won it 3 times during his career: in 2001, 2002 and last year. He will try to be sole leader with 4 victories. At the moment, he keeps the record with Hortensio Vidaurreta, who won the first three editions in 1951, 1952 and 1953.
Winners of this race from 2010
2010: Joaquim Rodriguez
2011: Samuel Sanchez
2012: Dani Moreno
2013: Simon Spilak
2014: Alejandro Valverde
2015: Angel Vicioso
Route
Like all the previous years, the race will (likely) be decided on the final climb of Basilica de Puy. It's a short, steep climb which perfectly suits the puncheurs.
Favorites
Katusha: Purito, Vicioso, Spilak
Movistar: Quintana, Dani Moreno, Ion Izagirre
Cannondale: Slagter, Moser
Sky: Sergio Henao, Landa (you never know)
Orica: Adam Yates, Txurukka
Caja Rural: Jose Goncalves, Madrazo, Bilbao
Novo Nordisk: Megias
One Pro Cycling: Dion Smith
Euskadi: Estevez, Bravo
Burgos-BH: Torres
Spain: Christian Rodriguez, Amezqueta
W52: Veloso, Mestre
Radio Popular: Sousa
Inteja: Diego Milan
Share your thoughts and likely winners!
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