Last year, we saw a stage from Leitza to Viana. In fact, it was also the 2nd stage. Although the route was not the mirror image of this one, the idea was similar. Hard, but not too hard, and it came down to a sprint in Viana. Breakaway rider Ibon Ruiz was caught inside the last 600 metres before Julian Alaphilippe sprinted to a clear victory.
To be honest, this year’s route may be slightly more challenging. It features five KOM climbs instead of three, while the last climb is situated closer to the finish. The elevation gain adds up to 3,250 metres. Which is 600 vertical metres more than last year. And which should suit attackers better.
Following 63.5 kilometres on rolling terrain the first climb goes to Etxauri. It’s 11.3 kilometres long and averaging 3.3%. The descent leads onto a virtually flat section of 35 kilometres to the foot of the second climb. This one goes up for 5.6 kilometres at 4.2%. After moving through Uitzi the riders descend to the first intermediate sprint in Leitza – also, the passage on the line.
The finishing circuit is almost 65 kilometres long and features three climbs, the first two of which appear early on. The ascent to Arkiskil throws in 4.5 kilometres at 5.1% before the riders are to conquer a wall – 2.9 kilometres at 9.2% – to arrive in Saldias. Would have been an intriguing finish, but no, there are still 46 kilometres to go after this ramp.
The route descends to the second intermediate sprint in Doneztebe and continues onto a huge climb at shallow gradients. The unofficial part is a false flat of 12 kilometres, the official part adds 11 kilometres at 3.2% to the mix. The last 6 kilometres of the race are a downhill into Leitza.
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.
Tour of the Basque Country 2023 stage 2: route, profile, more
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