Euskaltel-Euskadi begins an intense competition calendar with three events this week: the Castilla y León Classic (1.1) on Tuesday, July 23, the Tour of Portugal (2.1) from July 24 to August 4, and, at home, the Ordizia Classic on Thursday, July 25.
Without a doubt, the Ordiziako Klasikoa-Trueba de Villafranca (1.1) is the most special race for the team in front of its fans.The 165-kilometer race covers five climbs to Abaltzisketa, the last two with an additional two passes through Altzo. Nineteen teams are participating: six from the World Tour, eight Pro Teams, and five Continental teams. The start is at 10:00 a.m. and the finish is scheduled for around 2:00 p.m. The race can be followed in full on the race's YouTube channel and on ETB starting at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Jorge Azanza, sports manager of Euskaltel-Euskadi: “It's a home race that we usually do well in, and this year Gotzon and Berasategi are the main contenders. They've done well in previous years, finishing in the main group and fighting for the top spots. We hope to have a good day, continue that trend, and be the protagonists we like to be in our home races, and in Ordizia in particular.”
The Castilla y León Classic (1.1) is 199.7 kilometres long from Valladolid to La Cistérniga with five Third Division climbs, the last one 43 kilometres from the finish line, and in which the wind can also have its influence.. Seventeen teams are participating, with six from the World Tour and eight ProTeams. The start is at 1:15 p.m. and the finish is scheduled for around 6:00 p.m. The final part can be watched on YouTube via Sportpublic TV starting at 4:15 p.m.
Jorge Azanza, sports manager of Euskaltel-Euskadi: "We have a block designed for the sprint, with Aberasturi as the leading force and two riders like Gotzon and Berasa who can contribute. The wind can influence it, and we'll assess it based on the forecast, but Aberasturi is the trump card."
- Classical Castile and León: Nicolás Alustiza, Jon Aberasturi, Xabier Berasategi, Iker Bonillo, Unai Cuadrado, Gotzon Martín, Unai Zubeldia. Sports director: Jorge Azanza.
Euskaltel-Euskadi faces the Tour of Portugal with ambition (2.1) after his outstanding performance in the Very grand last year, with stage victories for Luis Ángel Maté and Txomin Juaristi and the second place finish for Markina-Xemein.
The route is mountainous with a prologue and ten stages and a rest day.The finishes in Miranda do Corvo (1st), Torre (3rd), and Senhora da Graça (9th) stand out, as does the final time trial in Viseu, which is over 26 kilometers long. A sprint is the clearest option in the second stage, and stages four, five, six, and especially seven and eight, are more winding. Sixteen teams are participating, with four ProTeams, including Euskaltel-Euskadi.
Jorge Azanza, sports manager of Euskaltel-Euskadi: "We're putting together a very strong squad with Bou, Bizkarra, and Maté for the general classification, to try to compete in the race, with a fast rider like Abetxuko and a versatile squad to move into breakaways and look for stages."
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