Itzulia Basque Country 2024, April 1-6

[Tim Cahill]

They will all start looking around at each other whilst Ion sails up the road for the easiest W of his life.

 

[Nick2413]

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?

 

[Extinction]

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?

Bilbao is a must, and then the country and it's villages like Elorrio, Orduña, Antoñana, Otxandio, Labastida.

 

[Vudy]

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.

 

[Berflamand]

Evenepoel is pretty great on a TT bike, even when it's technical. I don't understand where this narrative comes from.

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.

 

[Slavique Nuke]

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.

You could say the same thing about Rog and Remco, couldn't you?

Anyway, I consider Ayuso a better stage race (WT level) rider than Remco.

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.

I was talking about GC, not ITT.

 

[Netserk]

I wouldn't say the same about Rogla, no. Ardennes are an afterthought for him. Agreed for Evenepoel.

 

[Berniece]

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.

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.

 

[Extinction]

I wouldn't say the same about Rogla, no. Ardennes are an afterthought for him. Agreed for Evenepoel.

Well, if Ayuso is a better stage racer than Remco, then there is no hope.

 

[red_flanders]

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

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.

 

[red_flanders]

What is more lazy: to automatically criticise any route or to automatically criticise any criticism of routes?

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.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

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?

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.

If you want to negotiate the sometimes counterintuitive bus services (if you're used to the Spanish bus systems you'll be fine, but it can be a bit confusing for newcomers) then Oñati is a must-see, with the old university and medieval buildings. Pamplona is a bit further afield but still takes less than 2 hours from Bilbao to get to on the bus and of course has things like the historic Plaza de Toros, the main square with its Hemingway traditional cafés.

Also if it's convenient, check the sites of the main empresas (ASPE and Baiko, formerly Asegarce) for Basque pelota to see where matches are on. Some of the frontoiak are scenic and well worth a visit in their own right, such as the ones in Eibar, Pamplona and San Sebastián, whereas others are perhaps less grandiose but more important for the sport, such as the one in Markina-Xemein where the jai-alai form of the game was invented, or Bizkaia Frontón on a hilltop overlooking Bilbao, where most of the championship games are now held.

 

[Salvarani]

Well, if Ayuso is a better stage racer than Remco, then there is no hope.

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.

 

[Extinction]

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.

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.

 

[Slavique Nuke]

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.

Ayuso had a much more complicated year in 2023 due to injury than Remco. So these are weak excuses.

 

[AmRacer]

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.

Bur Remco hasn't been at altitude camp yet.....

 

[Berflamand]

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?

If you're into hiking, one of the more beautiful hikes I've done in the Basque Country was the hike to and around Ojo de Aitzulo.

 

[Froome]

You could say the same thing about Rog and Remco, couldn't you?

Anyway, I consider Ayuso a better stage race (WT level) rider than Remco.



I was talking about GC, not ITT.

Remco already won a Vuelta, and WT one week races like UAE Tour, Tour Pologne, and always does at least top 5 five in this kind of races.

Ayuso didn't won yet anything.

I don't disagree ayuso is better than Remco in long climbs like La Punt, but overall he is not a better stage racer than Remco at the moment.

 

[Extinction]

Ayuso had a much more complicated year in 2023 due to injury than Remco. So these are weak excuses.

More complicated? I'd say equally complicated, the one saw plans thwarted in the making, the other had to delay plans. They aren't excuses, just observations, which is why I said "now is the time to assess". If Ayuso does prove to be the better stage racer, chapeaux, however, I'm not convinced last year established parameters.

 

[Nick2413]

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.

If you want to negotiate the sometimes counterintuitive bus services (if you're used to the Spanish bus systems you'll be fine, but it can be a bit confusing for newcomers) then Oñati is a must-see, with the old university and medieval buildings. Pamplona is a bit further afield but still takes less than 2 hours from Bilbao to get to on the bus and of course has things like the historic Plaza de Toros, the main square with its Hemingway traditional cafés.

Also if it's convenient, check the sites of the main empresas (ASPE and Baiko, formerly Asegarce) for Basque pelota to see where matches are on. Some of the frontoiak are scenic and well worth a visit in their own right, such as the ones in Eibar, Pamplona and San Sebastián, whereas others are perhaps less grandiose but more important for the sport, such as the one in Markina-Xemein where the jai-alai form of the game was invented, or Bizkaia Frontón on a hilltop overlooking Bilbao, where most of the championship games are now held.

Thanks for the reply. Staying in Hondarribia just east of SS and will be 100% public transit but willing to get creative - will try to hit some of the places you listed.

 

[Berniece]

Ayuso a better stage racer than Evenepoel? Let me know when he wins a GT, or any 1-week stage race for that matter.

 

[Slavique Nuke]

Remco already won a Vuelta, and WT one week races like UAE Tour, Tour Pologne, and always does at least top 5 five in this kind of races.

Ayuso didn't won yet anything.

I don't disagree ayuso is better than Remco in long climbs like La Punt, but overall he is not a better stage racer than Remco at the moment.

He has won mickey mouse races in Poland and in the desert that no major rider takes seriously. And he won the Vuelta ahead of Mas and 19yo Ayuso who battled it out with Covid. Now I see why he's being labelled the next Eddy Merckx.

More complicated? I'd say equally complicated, the one saw plans thwarted in the making, the other had to delay plans. They aren't excuses, just observations, which is why I said "now is the time to assess". If Ayuso does prove to be the better stage racer, chapeaux, however, I'm not convinced last year established parameters.

Missing half the season because of injury or chickening out in the middle of the Giro is not really the same in my opinion.

 

[AmRacer]

next Eddy Merckx

Teddy Merckx 😀

 

[Extinction]

He has won mickey mouse races in Poland and in the desert that no major rider takes seriously. And he won the Vuelta ahead of Mas and 19yo Ayuso who battled it out with Covid. Now I see why he's being labelled the next Eddy Merckx.



Missing half the season because of injury or chickening out in the middle of the Giro is not really the same in my opinion.

Chickening out in the Giro? So, you don't believe he had Covid? Come on. As for Ayuso, once the injury is over, you just enter at top form later. Both are equally upsetting to established plans, however, the timing is actually worse for the one whose plans were interupted at full swing.

 

[Netserk]

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.

An area that the race too seldom finishes in west of Orio. You have the 2018 opening stage, which was fine, but there are many unused options there like Txatxarromendi from Aizarnazabal. Concrete goat tracks left and right, basically.