The winner of the mountains classification on the 2016 Giro d’Italia was born in Leitza – Mikel Nieve.
The race kicks into gear to head south. The first 60 kilometres features three ascents. The first one leads to Uitzi, is 3.7 kilometres long, and averages 6.9%. Following a short descent the route continues to climb at moderate gradients. The third ascent goes to Lizarraga, is 9.5 kilometres long and averages 5.2%. At a little over 1,000 metres, the top of this climb marks the highest point of the day.
The race enters a calm phase of some 100 kilometres. Flat to undulating roads, while traversing the rolling plains between Logroño and Pamplona.
The first passage in Viana happens 33.3 kilometres before the finish. The riders almost cross the line and moments later they enter the Aguilar Gana, a climb of 12.6 kilometres with an average gradient of 3.1%. The false flat downhill is even longer than that.
The last 10 kilometres go up and down at shallow gradients.
Ten years ago La Vuelta visited Viana. John Degenkolb sprinted to victory that day. It was the first of five stage wins for the German in that edition.
The first three riders on the line gain times bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while both intermediate sprints come with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 2.
Another interesting read: results 2nd stage 2022 Tour of the Basque Country.
Tour of the Basque Country 2022 stage 2: route, profile, more
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