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The first men's Itzulia Basque Country was held in 1924, so 98 years have passed till we can finally see a women's edition of the event. The boom of women's cycling in recent years has convinced the organizers, who have decided to bet heavily on a women's stage race, which enters the calendar directly as a WorldTour event. As the saying goes, better late than never.

Route

For this first edition, the Itzulia Women presents a three medium-mountain stages route, without big climbs but with no opportunities for pure sprinters. The first stage is the one with the least climbing, so it is the best opportunity for non-climbers. The second stage includes the ascent to Karabieta (7.3 km at 5%) with 13 km to go, so some differences in the general classification are already expected. Finally, the third stage follows the route of the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa Women, which has been absorbed by the Itzulia Women. This stage adds 2131 meters of climbing, with 4 categorized climbs. The climb to Murgul-Tontorra (2 km at 10.1%), which is crested 9 km from the finish line, is expected to be decisive for both the stage and the general classification.

Favorites

According to its WorldTour status, the race has a high-level start list, and many of the best climbers in the world will be present on the Basque roads. Once more, Team SD Worx seems to be the team to beat, and presents up to three candidates for victory: Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (1000), Demi Vollering (1200) and Niamh Fisher-Black (800). Mavi Garcia (800), Liane Lippert (800), Juliette Labous (800), Mikayla Harvey (600), Marta Cavalli (800), Amanda Spratt (400), Anne Santesteban (400), Erica Magnaldi (400), Evita Muzic (600) or Tatiana Guderzo (400) are other good climbers who will be in the race.

Elise Chabbey (1000), Marlen Reusser (600), Floortje Mackaij (600) and Lucinda Brand (800) may shine at some stage, but it seems unlikely that they can compete for the general classification.