Itzulia Basque Country 2024, April 1-6

[pelotonIQ]

TT would’ve been longer if he designed it

Yes but then it would be too obvious.

 

[Cookster15]

My sentimental favorites:

1. Roglic
2. Remco

Hopefully the climbs are too short and/or located too far from the stage finishes for Skeletor to dominate.

 

[Elos Anjos]

First time I remember seeing Remco going against Vingo outside a GT.

I'm hoping Roglic wins but also that Remco punishes Vingo.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

This stage race is also interesting cause it doesnt heavily favour Vingo over Remco and Rogla (which would be the case in races with more long climbs). Too bad there arent many interesting stages but it should increase the drama of the last one (Vingo surely will choose it to distance his rivals), which I feel can end up as one of the best of the year.

 

[Froome]

This stage race is also interesting cause it doesnt heavily favour Vingo over Remco and Rogla (which would be the case in races with more long climbs). Too bad there arent many interesting stages but it should increase the drama of the last one (Vingo surely will choose it to distance his rivals), which I feel can end up as one of the best of the year.

Well stage 4 also doesn't look that bad with 3 short and steep climbs in the last 40 kms.

Leintz-Gatzaga can make some differences, but yeah, it's all about the last stage and maybe stage 4.

 

[Rob5091]

This race will likely turn into one for the ages.

Only if Gigs can not watch!

 

[Rob5091]

Irun weather report for Monday is for showers late in the day, but windy from SW. So a headwind out and a tailwind back. Early starters would seem to benefit.

 

[tobydawq]

Irun weather report for Monday is for showers late in the day, but windy from SW. So a headwind out and a tailwind back. Early starters would seem to benefit.

Booo

 

[Netserk]

Booo

To deal with that, I'd propose that organisers not only decide the order of teams, but make a rule that decides the order of riders. That could be in order of their UCI ranking.

If so, the order from last rider would be:

Evenepoel
Vingegaard
Aranburu
Roglič
Cepeda
Vauquelin
Yates, S.
Skjelmose
Grégoire
Izagirre, I.
Ayuso
Bilbao
...
etc.

In addition, I'd have the defending winner start last if present.

 

[AnotherArmChair]

Just saw the route ..what the hell ??

No real mountain climbs like in Catalunya and mostly up and down all day long. And no MTF

I think Remco has this ...he can win the TT and a few other stages and hold on in stage 6

And then....
Ah Gawd the Belgian Remco fans !!!
It will be Remco will win 10 Tours and he is better than Merkx and Pogacar combined

 

[Netserk]

No real mountain climbs like in Catalunya and mostly up and down all day long. And no MTF

This is Itzulia, the hardest climbs in isolation are never harder than this. Usually, the race doesn't feature true MTFs, but at times a hilltop finish and "false" uphill finishes like Arrate.

 

[AnotherArmChair]

This is Itzulia, the hardest climbs in isolation are never harder than this. Usually, the race doesn't feature true MTFs, but at times a hilltop finish and "false" uphill finishes like Arrate.

yes it is hard but the kind of stage that dont really favour a pure climber imo ...hence why I think Remco can win

 

[CyclistAbi]

I can't seem to decide in between Jai, Sepp, Mikel, Juan, Tom ... It feels like i am missing something obvious here, can't really pin point it just yet. Will think about it tomorrow, after Flanders.

 

[Berniece]

To deal with that, I'd propose that organisers not only decide the order of teams, but make a rule that decides the order of riders. That could be in order of their UCI ranking.

If so, the order from last rider would be:

Evenepoel
Vingegaard
Aranburu
Roglič
Cepeda
Vauquelin
Yates, S.
Skjelmose
Grégoire
Izagirre, I.
Ayuso
Bilbao
...
etc.

In addition, I'd have the defending winner start last if present.

Why? I think it’s interesting that you can make some tactical decisions for the TT. Otherwise just do it in the exact same conditions for everyone

 

[Rob5091]

Just a thought that strong gusts of wind and TT racing don't always mix well. Ask Chris Froome who crashed twice (2018 Giro & 2019 Dauphiné) doing recons of a TT's parcours.

 

[tobydawq]

Why? I think it’s interesting that you can make some tactical decisions for the TT. Otherwise just do it in the exact same conditions for everyone

Because it ruins the viewing experience if all the best riders start before the broadcast.

As for the last sentence... How...?

 

[Berniece]

Because it ruins the viewing experience if all the best riders start before the broadcast.

As for the last sentence... How...?

So the best GC riders should give up there chance of winning the stage because there are TT riders that can start earlier?

Last sentence was to clarify that if you can’t make tactical decisions the playing field should be leveled. How? I don’t know, that’s not my point.

 

[tobydawq]

So the best GC riders should give up there chance of winning the stage because there are TT riders that can start earlier?

Last sentence was to clarify that if you can’t make tactical decisions the playing field should be leveled. How? I don’t know, that’s not my point.

But the how is pretty important given that the only option is to control the weather...

 

[DNP-Old]

Because it ruins the viewing experience if all the best riders start before the broadcast.

As for the last sentence... How...?

I agree, with one exception: the world champion, no matter his ranking, should always be in the last wave.

Idk why I quoted this post specifically to make that point. It was in my draft alright.

 

[RedheadDane]

Because it ruins the viewing experience if all the best riders start before the broadcast.

Of course, there is an obvious solution to that problem.
Unfortunately, I don't think all race organisers are willing/able to do that.

 

[Rob5091]

But the how is pretty important given that the only option is to control the weather...

Yep, it's a problem having these outdoor events!

 

[Netserk]

I agree, with one exception: the world champion, no matter his ranking, should always be in the last wave.

Idk why I quoted this post specifically to make that point. It was in my draft alright.

Even if said champion was teammate of the defending winner?

 

[DNP-Old]

Even if said champion was teammate of the defending winner?

I do not have a definitive opinion on this matter at this current time, but I am sure we can reach a reasonable agreement for this niche situation.

Another absolute I need implemented: defending champion should always start in the leaders jersey in case of a prologue.

 

[yaco]

S.Yates last minute withdrawal from Basque Country. I suggested at the beginning of the season that him riding until 27 Oct in 2023 and then starting at the TDU could impact his 2024.

 

[Poursuivant]

I thought A Yates was going to this?