Tour of the Basque Country 2018: The Route

The 2018 Tour of the Basque Country sets off on Monday, the 2nd of April to finish on Saturday the 7th. During the whole week of action attackers and climbers can eat their hearts out, although the route features one flat race - the ITT on day four. Alejandro Valverde is title holder.

The 1st stage of the Tour of the Basque Country features five climbs and concludes with a 6.6 kilometres drop to the line. Punchers will be eyeing up this one as the last climb is the steep Eikano: 2.4 kilometres at 9%.

Stage 2 continues in similar vein, although the climbs are slightly less testing. Following an undulating to hilly route the race ends with a 6.6 kilometres descent from La Ermita de San Pelayo. To reach the hermitage the riders climb for 4.6 kilometres at 6.5%.

The Tour of the Basque Country’s 3rd stage is yet another hilly affair, although the most elevation gain is in the first half of the route. The last 10 kilometres are played out on bumpy terrain.

For once a flat stage. The individual time trial on the fourth day of action amounts to 19.4 kilometres and is tailor made for riders who can push a big gear.

Stage 5 incorporates two races. The first half is slightly rolling and would be perfect for sprinters if it would continue like that all the way to the line. But no. The riders drop down to a compact mountain stage with three climbs in 50 kilometres. The last peak is crested with 20 kilometres remaining before a descent runs to a false flat run-in to the line.

The final stage of the Tour of the Basque Country is as explosive as it is promising. At 122 kilometres, the route features eight climbs and the last one is a demanding toil of 3.1 kilometres with an average gradient of 12.7%. The last 2 kilometres to the Sanctuary of Arrate are slightly rolling.