SAN SEBASTIÁN’24 Preview: Who Will get to Placed on a Donostia Txapela?

2024 Donostia – San Sebastián Klasikoa Preview: The Clásica San Sebastián – or, in case you need, the Donostia Klasikoa – is that this Saturday. The Basque one-day race heralds the finale of the biking season with la Vuelta a España, the World championships and Il Lombardia to return. Who will win the 2024 model of this highly effective Spanish Fundamental? Jonas Vingegaard is now driving. Proper right here is the ‘PEZ Preview’.

Teaser Clásica San Sebastián 2024

A Temporary Race Historic previous
The very first Clásica San Sebastián was in 1981 was gained by Marino Lejarreta. The Clásica is a comparatively youthful race and this yr the ‘Klasikoa Donostia’ will occur the Saturday sooner than the start of l. a. Vuelta a España, its further widespread spot.

Xavier Florencio – The 2006 winner

Most likely essentially the most distinctive editions of the Clásica San Sebastián was in 2006, when it was gained by the 26 year-old Xavier Florencio, who was the quickest from an enormous group. He had certainly not gained educated bike race, and he certainly not gained one different. He did finish ninth twice in what might want to have been his favourite race. Florencio joined a listing of spectacular winners: Miguel Indurain (1990), Gianni Bugno (1991) and Lance Armstrong in 1995, after remaining place in 1992 on his debut as educated rider. After Florencio, Philippe Gilbert (2011), Julian Alaphilippe (2018) and Remco Evenepoel (2019, 2022 and 2023).

Greg van Avermaet should have gained in 2015

4 riders have gained twice: Francesco Casagrande, Laurent Jalabert, Alejandro Valverde and Luis León Sánchez. Ultimate yr Remco Evenepoel joined Marino Lejarreta as doc holders, on three wins each. Lejarreta gained the Clásica San Sebastián in 1981, 1982 and 1987. Evenepoel in 2019, 2022 and 2023.

Three-time winner – Marino Lajarreta

Ultimate ten winners:
2023: Remco Evenepoel
2022: Remco Evenepoel
2021: Neilson Powless
2020: No race because of covid
2019: Remco Evenepoel
2018: Julian Alaphilippe
2017: Michal Kwiatkowski
2016: Bauke Mollema
2015: Adam Yates
2014: Alejandro Valverde.

The other three-time winner – Remco Evenepoel

The 2023 Model
As anticipated by many, World champion, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) gained his third Clásica San Sebastián, nevertheless he wanted to fight out a final sprint with Tour stage winner Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious) after dropping Aleksandr Vlasov (BORA-hansgrohe) on the final word climb.

The race didn’t start correctly for Evenepoel, as a result of the World champion crashed inside the neutralised zone. The Belgian had no points, because of he immediately obtained once more on his bike to proceed. Biniam Girmay wasn’t as lucky. He received right here down with Evenepoel and continued, nevertheless lastly wanted to desert. When the official start was given, there was a large fight to get into the ‘break of the day’. After 40 kilometres, 5 riders managed to flee. That they had been Romain Bardet (dsm-firmenich), Nathan Van Hooydonck (Jumbo-Visma), Franck Bonnamour (AG2R Citroën), Julien Bernard (Lidl-Trek) and residential rider, Mikel Iturria (Euskaltel-Euskadi). The 5 took a lead of just about 5 minutes. The peloton, led by Soudal Quick-Step and Bahrain Victorious, didn’t let the opening get any better. On the Jaizkibel, with a few 100 kilometres to go, the lead fell to decrease than 3 minutes. However, the break didn’t ease up and dropped Bonnamour. There was moreover movement inside the peloton. Quinten Hermans, Iván García Cortina and Lawson Craddock tried to cross to the early escapees.

On the Erlaitz (4km at 10.3%) the three chasers had been caught, nevertheless immediately there was one different counter-attack. Remco Evenepoel made his switch 73 kilometres to go. Solely Aleksandr Vlasov, Alberto Bettiol and Pello Bilbao had been ready to associate with him. The 4 joined Bardet and Van Hooydonck, the ultimate remaining members of the break. The six put the stress on inside the valley after the Erlaitz. On the foot of the Mendizorrotz (4.1km at 7.3%), the penultimate climb of the day, that that they had a lead of 1:15 over thinned peloton, the place Movistar and Lidl-Trek had tried to tug the leaders once more. Bauke Mollema had missed the entire strikes and was in a second peloton. On the Mendizorrotz, Evenepoel attacked inside the principle group. Van Hooydonck and Bardet, who had been inside the break all day, had been the first to be distanced. Then it was the flip of Bettiol. Inside the peloton, Felix Gall tried to get all through with Tiesj Benoot. Later, the Belgian was modified by Mikel Landa. Behind the group, the Spanish favourites Carlos Rodríguez and Juan Ayuso had been in trouble.

Landa and Gall had been joined a little bit bit later by Alex Aranburu, Jakob Fuglsang and Rui Costa, nevertheless inside the run-up to the Murgil-Tontorra (2.1km at 9.8%) they fell once more inside the peloton. That peloton may be driving for fourth place. UAE Employees Emirates continued to chase, nevertheless the excellence on the foot of the Murgil had elevated to a few minutes. Evenepoel took the lead inside the first kilometre of the climb, nevertheless couldn’t eliminate the other two. On the second part of the climb Vlasov was dropped. Bilbao went with Evenepoel and was ready to come back to the doorway. The two had been collectively as they crossed the summit and would fight it out for the victory. The 2023 Clásica San Sebastian would come proper all the way down to a splash from these two. Evenepoel was in second place and commenced a protracted sprint. The World champion was ready to maintain his effort and preserve off Bilbao to win the Clásica San Sebastián for the third time. Bilbao was second, Vlasov third. Behind that Neilson Powless rode to fourth place, Ion Izagirre was fifth.

2023 Clásica San Sebastián Consequence:
1. Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Soudal Quick Step in 5:30:59
2. Pello Bilbao (Spa) Bahrain Victorious
3. Aleksandr Vlasov (-) BORA-hansgrohe at 0:28
4. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Coaching-EasyPost at 2:50
5. Ion Izagirre (Spa) Cofidis at 2:57
6. Toms Skujiņš (Lat) Lidl-Trek at 3:02
7. Alex Aranburu (Spa) Movistar
8. Rui Costa (Por) Intermarché-Circus-Wanty
9. Andrea Bagioli (Ita) Soudal Quick-Step
10. Tiesj Benoot (Bel) Jumbo-Visma.

2023 Clásica San Sebastián

2024 Route
The route is totally totally different as soon as extra compared with earlier years because of changes inside the roads and for safety causes. On this model, the riders should cowl 236km, 6 better than remaining yr, to take home the txapela inside the Zurriola. There are seven categorised mountain passes, nevertheless there are moreover many alternative transient climbs. The precept obstacles are: Andazarate, Azkarate, Urraki, Alkiza, Jaizkibel, Erlaitz and Pilotegi. The ultimate one is new and is being launched inside the Clásica to change Murgil. The moreover Pilotegi is a climb that’s merely as demanding as Murgil or Bordako Tontorra with ramps of as a lot as 27%. There could also be moreover two intermediate sprints which can be on the primary crossing of the top line and after 219.5 kilometres, passing by means of the finish-line.

Clásica San Sebastián route

The route of 236 kilometres has over 4,400 metres of climbing, wonderful for the anti-gravity males and puncheurs. There could also be a lot of climbing early on, although nothing too arduous, the final word 70 kilometres will resolve the race with 4 key climbs. The first is the Jaizkibel, which is 7.4 kilometres prolonged at 5.8% and summits with 60 kilometres to associate with a technical descent.

The Jaizkibel – Nonetheless 60km to go

The ascent of the Erlaitz is subsequent with its summit at 40 kilometres from the top, it averages at over 10.4% for 4 kilometres. A wonderful place to assault, nevertheless with a protracted method to go, in case your title isn’t Remco. Variations may very well be made proper right here and some rider’s hopes may very well be dashed. A plateau follows sooner than descending into San Sebastián for the first time. Then there will be the race’s new final climb. It’s not fully new, because it’s subsequent totally different climbs which have been used sooner than, in precise truth it’s the same hill, nevertheless using fully totally different roads. The Pilotegi is transient at 2.1 kilometres at a imply of 11.3%, nevertheless merely sooner than the summit it reaches a gradient of 27%, from there, there are 7.9 kilometres to go to the top. It has been described as ‘a brutal goat monitor’ and should each break up any group or confirm the winner. The descent to the top is technical and fast, as quickly as down there are solely 3 kilometres to go on a fast flat road into San Sebastián.

Clásica San Sebastián profile

Saturday 08/10/2024
Distance: 236
Climbs: 7
Sprints: 2
Sign-on: 9:18 – 10:33
Neutralised Depart: 10:46.

Primoz Roglič gained’t start

*** Primoz Roglič has launched that he gained’t start the Clásica San Sebastián, nevertheless Jonas Vingegaard will in all probability be on the start line. ***

The Race Favourites
The celebs of the summer time season, Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel, gained’t be initially of the Clásica San Sebastián, so selecting a excessive favourite is far more powerful that earlier editions. Primoz Roglič gained’t start. He wanted to desert the Tour de France in July after a foul crash and was on the start-list of the Clásica, nevertheless has decided to stay at home. Pink Bull-BORA-hansgrohe moreover has Jai Hindley and Daniel Felipe Martínez to fill the opening.

Julian Alaphilippe gained in 2018, nevertheless…

Soudal Quick-Step are with out Evenepoel. The double Olympic champion is preparing for the Zurich World Championships, nevertheless the Belgian employees nonetheless has Julian Alaphilippe and Mikel Landa, who, on their day are two strong shoppers. Alaphilippe gained a stage inside the Czech Tour and rode a wonderful Olympic road race, whereas Landa very spectacular inside the Tour de France. If the other excessive riders let Alaphilippe slip away, he may preserve them off. and within the occasion that they sit up for the final word climb, Landa may shock.

Marc Hirschi can expertise a wonderful one-day and is in type

UAE Employees Emirates have a 3 pronged assault with Marc Hirschi, Pavel Sivakov and Isaac Del Toro. Hirschi would look to be the chief as he’s in excessive type. He gained the Czech Tour and was on the doorway in Paris. Hirschi is a winner, nevertheless seems to have situation on the big day.

Pello Bilbao – Second remaining yr

Santiago Buitrago and Pello Bilbao will in all probability be initially for Bahrain Victorious. The two climbers may take the win on the ultimate steep climb or associate with a bunch on certainly one of many earlier climbs. Bilbao was a wonderful second remaining yr to Evenepoel.

Richard Carapaz – One to take a look at

Richard Carapaz may even expertise the Clásica San Sebastián. The Ecuadorian will in all probability be out to point that he should have been driving the Olympic road race and by no means watching it, resulting from his nationwide selectors. If he has held his type from the Tour, he’s one different excessive favourite. His EF Coaching-EasyPost employees mate, Neilson Powless, might very properly be a large help or expertise on his private account.

Maxim Van Gils – Maybe?

Lotto Dstny has two males who may do one factor inside the Basque Nation: Maxim Van Gils and Andreas Kron. Van Gils has had a wonderful season, the youthful Belgian had a lot of good results in the spring, nevertheless inside the Tour de France, Van Gils was no the place and abandoned on stage 16.

Simon Yates rode into type inside the remaining week of the Tour

Simon Yates rode a strong Tour de France and regarded increased inside the final week and received right here close to stage wins on two occasions.

Sepp Kuss gained in Burgos on Wednesday

Visma | Lease a Bike seems to be like very strong on paper with quite a lot of riders who can perform correctly on this course. The employees has climbers Sepp Kuss and Wilco Kelderman and as well as the Classics specialist, Tiesj Benoot. The change of the final word climb makes it harder for Benoot, however when he can get away sooner than the steep climb of the Pilotegi, he has a possibility. The Belgian had good type on the Olympic Video video games and can play his card early and Kuss may finish the job.

Latest up-date: Jonas Vingegaard Offers San Sebastian to his Program
After a protracted rehabilitation and his subsequent second place inside the Tour de France, Jonas Vingegaard took a short leisure and after a wonderful teaching block, the Dane is now ready for the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa and the Tour de Pologne. His Visma | Lease a Bike employees launched in a press launch. “I was very drained after the Tour. I did nothing the least bit for five days. I recharged my battery after which started teaching as soon as extra. That every one went correctly. In the meanwhile I actually really feel current as soon as extra and I’m ready to start the next two races. San Sebastian and the Tour of Poland are two excellent races. Moreover, I’ve a specific bond with Poland. I booked my first victory inside the WorldTour there,” talked about Vingegaard, who has set his sights on the final word victory in Poland.

Jonas Vingegaard will expertise the Clásica San Sebastián on Saturday

“It’s going to in spite of everything be explicit to return to the Basque Nation, after all of the items that occurred there just some months prior to now. Fortunately, I even have a lot of good recollections of that space, so I’m truly making an attempt forward to biking there as soon as extra in opponents.” Vingegaard is formidable for every races. “In Poland, the beginning may even be very highly effective. There could also be moreover a very highly effective stage on the end of the race, so we have to be focused all week. I’ve set my sights on grabbing the final word victory this yr, nevertheless after all of the opponents shouldn’t be underestimated. I hope to fight for the perfect attainable in every races.”

Youthful Frenchman Lenny Martinez on his family ‘home soil’ – His grand father, Mariano Martinez, was born in Burgos

There are many ‘Exterior Chance’ riders: Giulio Ciccone & Bauke Mollema (Lidl-Trek), Alex Aranburu & Oier Lazkano (Movistar), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Axel Laurance (Alpecin-Deceunick), Steff Cras (TotalEnergies), Jhonatan Narváez (INEOS Grenadiers), Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility), Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ), Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) and Romain Bardet (dsm-firmenich-PostNL).

The guidelines of riders wasn’t confirmed on the time of penning this preview, so there may be prone to be changes.

The Excessive Picks:
Favourites: Marc Hirschi
Will be up there: Julian Alaphilippe, Richard Carapaz, Jonas Vingegaard
Probables: Maxim Van Gils, Pello Bilbao
Outsiders: Santiago Buitrago, Mikel Landa, Simon Yates, Giulio Ciccone, Tiesj Benoot.

Preserve PEZ for the ‘Race Report’ on Saturday and the entire info in EUROTRASH Monday.

# Because of WielerFlits and ProCyclingStats for the data and figures. #

A look once more at Clásica San Sebastián 2014