CLÁSICA SAN SEBASTIÁN’23 Preview: Who Has the Legs for Donostia?

Clásica San Sebastián Preview: Spain has many one-day races, however the largest is the Clásica San Sebastián or Donostiako Klasikoa in Euskera, the Basque language. This 12 months the race comes on the heels of the Tour de France – Who has recovered and who has rested and in type?

Remco once more?

After the Grand Départ of the Tour de France within the Basque Nation, only a matter of weeks in the past, the WorldTour makes its return to San Sebastián for the one-day Traditional. All eyes might be on the World champion, Remco Evenepoel, in his earlier two participations within the Spanish Traditional, he received. Will he be the wearer of a txapela on Saturday?

It’s a race price successful only for the large hat

Race Historical past
The very first Clásica San Sebastián was in 1981 was received by Marino Lejarreta. The Clásica is a relatively younger race and this 12 months it would happen the Saturday after the Tour de France end. Usually the ‘Klasikoa Donostia’ was weeks after the Tour and simply earlier than la Vuelta a España.

Xavier Florencio – The 2006 winner

One of the exceptional editions of the Clásica San Sebastián was in 2006 when it was received by the 26 year-old Xavier Florencio, who was the quickest from a big group. He had by no means received knowledgeable bike race, and he by no means received one other. He did end ninth twice in what will need to have been his favorite race. Florencio joined an inventory of spectacular winners: Miguel Indurain (1990), Gianni Bugno (1991) and Lance Armstrong in 1995, after final place in 1992 on his debut as knowledgeable rider. After Florencio, Philippe Gilbert (2011), Julian Alaphilippe (2018) and Remco Evenepoel (2019 and 2022).

Marino Lejarreta within the Tour

5 riders have received twice. Together with Evenepoel, there’s Francesco Casagrande, Laurent Jalabert, Alejandro Valverde and Luis León Sánchez. LL remains to be racing, however broke his collarbone within the Tour de France and received’t be within the Basque Nation on Saturday. Evenepoel might be there and will be a part of Marino Lejarreta as report holder. Lejarreta received the Clásica San Sebastián in 1981, 1982 and 1987.

Final ten winners:
2022: Remco Evenepoel
2021: Neilson Powless
2020: No race resulting from covid
2019: Remco Evenepoel
2018: Julian Alaphilippe
2017: Michal Kwiatkowski
2016: Bauke Mollema
2015: Adam Yates
2014: Alejandro Valverde
2013: Tony Gallopin.

2022 winner – Remco Evenepoel

The 2022 Version
The 9 man ‘break of the day’ within the 2022 Clásica San Sebastián 2022 constructed up a lead of two:30, however they have been caught earlier than the highest of the Jaizkibel. This was because of the riders of Fast-Step Alpha Vinyl and UAE Workforce Emirates, who have been using for his or her chief, Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian didn’t have one of the best legs and finally wouldn’t end the race. This was additionally the day Tom Dumoulin obtained off his bike, by no means to race once more.

On the climb of the Erlaitz, the race break up fully. Jonathan Caicedo began the motion, but it surely was Remco Evenepoel who took over and it was solely Simon Yates who may observe, till 1.8 kilometres to the summit, the place Yates was additionally dropped. Evenepoel was solo with 45 kilometres to go. Behind him a bunch fashioned with Carlos Rodríguez, Tiesj Benoot, Pavel Sivakov, Bauke Mollema and Yates, who had crashed.

Fast-Step managed the race in 2022

The pursuers, who have been now Rodríguez and Sivakov, as that they had left the others, have been greater than 1 minute behind Evenepoel after the descent of the Erlaitz. Within the flat part to the Murgil-Tontorra the distinction remained the identical, however on the steep climb Evenepoel took extra time. On the prime he was greater than 2 minutes forward of Sivakov, who had left Rodríguez. Rodríguez finally completed fifth, behind Tiesj Benoot in third and Bauke Mollema 4th. Evenepoel had already crossed the road practically 2 minutes earlier than Sivakov for his second Clásica San Sebastián win.

# The total ‘PEZ Race Report’ HERE. #

2022 Clásica San Sebastian outcomes
1. Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Fast-Step Alpha Vinyl in 5:31:44
2. Pavel Sivakov (Fra) INEOS Grenadiers at 1:58
3. Tiesj Benoot (Bel) Jumbo-Visma at 2:31
4. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo at 3:11
5. Carlos Rodríguez (Spa) INEOS Grenadiers.

No.3 on the best way for Evenepoel

Route
The route of the Clásica San Sebastián has modified from final 12 months. It’s now nearly the identical because the one ridden in 2019, when Remco Evenepoel received his first ‘Klasikoa’. The Mendizorrotz (4.1km at 7.3%) returns the ultimate and the entire distance has enhance in comparison with 2022. The riders now should cowl 230.3 kilometres as an alternative of 224.8.

Race map

After the beginning in San Sebastián/Donostia, there’s a large circuit taking within the Meaga (3.5km at 3.4%), the Iturburu (6.6km at 5.3%) and the Alkiza (4.4km at 6.2%) all within the first 80 kilometres. From then on it continues to go up and down. After 130 kilometres there’s the enduring climb of the Jaizkibel (7.9km at 5.6%). The Jaizkibel was extra necessary within the race, however today it’s too removed from the end.

Race profile

The very steep Erlaitz (3.8km at 10.6%) shouldn’t be as essential as final 12 months, the place Evenepoel began his profitable 45 kilometre solo, this 12 months it’s 73 kilometres from the end. The following climb, the Mendizorrotz (4.1km at 7.3%), has extra choices because it comes 37 kilometres out.

The place will Evenepoel assault?

The favourites approach look forward to the Murgil-Tontorra, the final climb of the day. This 2.1 kilometre lengthy steep climb has a mean gradient of over 10%. Those that nonetheless have one thing of their legs will both should make their transfer or hold onto people who do. After the summit there are 8 kilometres to the end, half of that are downhill. The final three kilometres are flat via San Sebastián.

The ultimate climb – Murgil-Tontorra

Saturday July 29, Clásica San Sebastián: San Sebastián – San Sebastián

• Begin: 10.53am
• Distance: 230.3km
• Climbs: 7
• Sprints: 2
• End: 4.30pm to five.10pm
• Race web site: klasikoa.eus.

Who’re the favourites on the start-line?

The Race Favourites
The highest favorite for the 2023 Clásica San Sebastián needs to be Remco Evenepoel. The World champion hasn’t raced lately, however his report within the race is: Two participations and two wins, not unhealthy. He’s aiming for the Vuelta a España after having the go away the Giro with covid. In 2022 he was in prime type for San Sebastián earlier than occurring to win the Vuelta and the World championships, this 12 months might be the identical. On the finish of June he received the Belgian street title, displaying that he have to be over his covid an infection.

Prime favorite: World and Belgian champion – Remco Evenepoel

The rider who may observe Evenepoel the longest final 12 months was Simon Yates. It was possibly an excessive amount of attempting to observe the Belgian and he finally completed sixth. The Jayco AlUla rider had an excellent Tour de France, ending fourth total in Paris. He additionally completed second on the stage to Courchevel and within the first stage to Bilbao.

Simon Yates does just like the Basque Nation

Carlos Rodríguez additionally had an excellent Tour de France. The 22 year-old Spaniard made his debut by successful the Alpine stage to Morzine les Portes du Soleil and, regardless of his unhealthy crash on stage 20, the place he fell on his face, he completed fifth total. If he has recovered from his Tour crash, he ought to be capable of enhance on his fifth place of 2022.

Has Carlos Rodriguez recovered?

Juan Ayuso completed third within the Vuelta a España final 12 months at solely 19 years of age. However this 12 months didn’t not begin nicely, resulting from a persistent tendon harm. He returned within the Tour de Romandie and received the person time trial and within the Tour de Suisse he took two phases and completed second total, forward of Remco Evenepoel. the one downside is that he crashed within the remaining kilometre of this weeks Prueba Villafranca-Ordiziako Klasika.

The opposite Spanish hope – Juan Ayuso

The Tour de Suisse was received by Mattias Skjelmose. The Dane of Lidl-Trek then went to the Tour de France, however cracked within the Pyrenees. Skjelmose was 5 occasions within the stage top-10 and labored laborious for KOM winner Giulio Ciccone. The Italian can even in the beginning in San Sebastián and might be there for Skjelmose, who, let’s not neglect was eighth within the Amstel Gold Race, 2nd in La Flèche Wallonne and ninth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Mattias Skjelmose – Not a nasty guess

Ben Healy has been spectacular this 12 months, particularly within the climber’s Classics. Second within the Brabantse Pijl, second within the Amstel Gold Race and fourth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Healy didn’t experience the Tour de France this 12 months, however together with his lengthy, profitable solos within the eighth stage of the Giro d’Italia (50 kilometres) and the Irish championship (100 kilometres). The Clásica San Sebastián may go well with him.

Ben Healy – Why not?

Bauke Mollema has an excellent report in San Sebastián: He received as soon as, in 2016, and likewise completed: fifth, ninth, second, sixth, third, second, fifth, tenth and fourth. Ten occasions top-ten. Mollema needs to be up there once more this 12 months, though his preparation was completely different. The 36 year-old rider was not chosen by Lidl-Trek for the Tour de France, though this might spur him onto making some extent.

Bauke Mollema might be seen on the entrance

Michael Woods did experience the Tour and received a stage. He had an exceptional experience on the Puy de Dôme. The steep ramps within the Basque Nation ought to go well with him. He has not ridden the Clásica San Sebastián since his ninth place in 2019, however the Murgil-Tontorra fits his abilities.

Michael Woods?

Pello Bilbao didn’t experience the earlier two editions of the Clásica San Sebastián, however this 12 months he might be again in the beginning of his house race and in prime form. He completed sixth within the Tour de France and, like Woods, received the stage in Issoire. He jumped to the main group after which received the dash with a robust end. Bilbao will need to do one thing on house soil.

Pello Bilbao on house turf

Felix Gall additionally received a stage from an early break within the Tour de France and it was the Queen Stage. The Austrian confirmed he may battle with one of the best climbers. Within the final mountain stage to Le Markstein he was the final rider with Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. His Tour type ought to nonetheless be there on Saturday.

Felix Gall was spectacular within the Tour

There are lots of exterior bets for the Clásica San Sebastián: One other house rider Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Tiesj Benoot and Thomas Gloag (Jumbo-Visma), Rui Costa and Lorenzo Rota (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), Alex Aranburu (Movistar), Warren Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic), Ben Tulett (INEOS Grenadiers), Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (dsm-firmenich), Santiago Buitrago and Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious), Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech), Maxim Van Gils (Lotto Dstny), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) and Diego Ulissi (UAE Emirates).

Marc Hirschi have to be on type

Marc Hirschi received the Prueba Villafranca-Ordiziako Klasika on Tuesday, though Spanish champion, Oier Lazkano was most likely stronger, however similar to Juan Ayuso, he crashed within the remaining kilometre, so he may not be 100%.

2021 winner Neilson Powless might be in San Sebastián:

Former winners Neilson Powless and Julian Alaphilippe are additionally on the start-line. Powless was preventing for the Tour de France KOM jersey for a very long time, however finally was outclassed within the excessive mountains. He and Julian Alaphilippe may need taken some type from the Tour, so should not be ignored.

The Basque followers might be out

The listing of riders wasn’t confirmed on the time of scripting this preview, so there possibly modifications.

The Prime Favourites:
Favorite: Remco Evenepoel
Might be up there: Simon Yates, Juan Ayuso
Probables: Ben Healy, Mattias Skjelmose, Carlos Rodriguez
Outsiders: Bauke Mollema, Pello Bilbao, Michael Woods, Marc Hirschi.

Keep PEZ for the ‘Race Report’ on Saturday and all of the information in EUROTRASH Monday.

# Due to WielerFlits and ProCyclingStats for the details and figures. #