The route takes in six intermediate ascents before the riders tackle the short and sharp Murgil with 9 kilometres remaining. Since its introduction in 2014 the Murgil climb has a pivotal role in the Clásica de San Sebastián. Two years ago Evenepoel dropped his fellow attacker Toms Skujins on the 1.8 kilometres climb at 11.3% before he soloed to victory. But on most occasions a small group crests the ramp together.
Mollema is almost always in the mix at the top. The Dutchman won the race in 2016, while Alaphlippe outgunned him in a two-up sprint in the penultimate edition – in 2018.
Other former winners at the start of the 2019 Clásica de San Sebastián are Adam Yates (2015), and Luis León Sánchez (2012, 2010).
Favourites Clásica de San Sebastián 2021
*** Bauke Mollema, Julian Alaphilippe, Simon Yates, Egan Bernal
** Adam Yates, Diego Ulissi, Mikel Landa, Jonas Vingegaard, Matej Mohoric
* Koen Bouwman, Gorka Izagirre, Antwan Tolhoek, Iván Sosa, Anthony Roux