Setting out from Vitoria-Gasteiz, the first 40 kilometres go to the north on pan-flat roads. The riders then enter a large loop through the Urkiola Natural Park, reaching its highest point after a 5.5 kilometres climb at 9.5%. There is hardly any descent and the riders stay at altitude for 10 kilometres. Then they fly down to the place where they entered the loop.
On familiar roads the riders continue back to finishing venue Amorebieta-Etxano before they leave the lap with a sharp left hand turn for 1.5 runs on a shorter circuit. This lap features two short climbs and these are both featured twice. The Muniketa Gaina is 3.5 kilometres long and averages 7.3% and the other one – unclassified – slopes for 1.7 kilometres at 4.4%.
The Muniketa Gaina is crested with 13 kilometres to go and the last hill within the last 5 kilometres. The downhil leads onto a flat 2 kilometres long run-in to the line.
Last year, Sergio Higuita won a stage in Amorebieta-Etxano, although that finale was different.
Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 5.
Another interesting read: results 6th stage 2024 Tour of the Basque Country.
Tour of the Basque Country 2024 stage 5: route, profile, more
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