The first 10 kilometres are misleading, as the route goes slightly downwards. But then it comes. The first ramp of many. The Elkorrieta is a 2.6 kilometres climb at 6.7%. Following a mini descent the route continues to rise false flat before a proper downhill opens itself after 20 kilometres.
An undulating section of 10 kilometres takes the riders onto the Endoia. It’s a 5.3 kilometres climb at 6.8%, although that statistic is strongly biased by a downward part just before the summit. The bottom of the climb serves double digit gradients.
A short descent leads to the base of the Azurki. This is a 5.1 kilometres climb at 7.4%. The Azurki is an irregular ascent that ramps up to 16% at times, while the middle section averages 11%.
By now, the riders are traversing the same parcours as in last year’s final stage. Up next is the Elosua, a relatively easy climb of 10 kilometres at 5.3%. From the summit the riders descend back towards Eibar. It’s the town where they started this morning and also the base of the finish climb. In fact, the following ascent leads to the line, but from another side. It’s a shortcut.
Or should we say, steepcut? The Krabelin is 5 kilometres long and averages 10%, while the middle section is even more demanding as it ramps up to 20%. The hardest part of the Krabelin is 2 kilometres long and the average gradient sits at 14%.
The riders leave last year’s route in Etxeberria and continue to the Urkaregi. This climb is doable for a change – 5 kilometres at 4.5%.
Still 22 kilometres to go at the Urkaregi. The first part is on descent before the riders enter a flase flat all the way to the foot of the finish climb. The Usartza is a 4.5 kilometres toil at 8.9%, but it really comes down to the last 3 kilometres at almost 10%. The summit is not the finish line as the route continues for 2 more undulating kilometres. The last 600 metres go downhill, so expect the finish to be at breakneck speeds.
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 6.
Another interesting read: results 6th stage and finale GC 2022 Tour of the Basque Country.
Tour of the Basque Country 2022 stage 6: route, profile, more
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