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The Basque are among most passionate cycling fans in the world, so every time the international peloton visits the Basque Country, a spectacular set-up is guaranteed. After the Olympic Games Road Race event, some cyclists fly directly from Tokyo to participate in the 41st Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa, which is consolidated year after year as one of the main one-day events on the annual WorldTour calendar.

Men’s race route

The men's race, as usual, does not have a flat meter, and includes more than 4000 meters of positive slope in the 230 km that make up the event. The riders will have to overcome up to 6 categorized climbs, the highest being Urraki (8.6 km at 6.9%), although it is crowned more than 140 km from the finish line and is not expected to be decisive. We will have to wait for the final three climbs to see the moves for victory. Jaizkibel (7'9 km at 5%) is crowned 80 km from the finish line and it is possible that it will begin to select the peloton. Immediately after the descent, the riders will chain with Erlaitz (4 km at 10.4%), which with its steep ramps can end up breaking what is left of the group. The last climb, Murgil-Tontorra (2.1 km at 10%) is crowned 9 km from the finish line, already in the surroundings of San Sebastián.

Women's race route

The women's race is also a constant up and down, with 2,200 meters of positive elevation gain accumulated in the 139 km of the route. In the case of the women's event, Jaizkibel is crowned a little closer to the finish line, at 53 km, so it may play an even more prominent role than in the men's competition. The final section, in the streets of San Sebastián, is identical to that of the men, and also includes the climb to Murgil-Tontorra.

Favorites for men’s race

For the men's event, Julian Alaphilippe (1200) starts as the main favorite, although the start list includes many top-level riders who are not going to make it easy for the world champion. Tour de France runner-up Jonas Vingegaard (600) will presumably be one of the best from a list where Bauke Mollema (600), Diego Ulissi (1000), Alex Aranburu (600), Patrick Konrad (600), Simon Yates (1000), Dan Martin (800), Warren Barguil (400), Ion Izagirre (600), Gorka Izagirre (400), Giulio Ciccone (600), James Knox (400) or Andrea Bagioli (400) also start with victory options, among others. In addition, the Klasikoa will also be the occasion to see local idol Mikel Landa (800) reappear after breaking his collarbone at the Giro d'Italia.

Favorites for women’s race

In the women's event and without the almighty Team SD Worx, Trek Segafredo’s Ellen van Dijk (600) and Ruth Winder (600) and Liv Racing’s Soraya Paladin (800) and Sofia Berttizzolo (400) start as main favorites. Other candidates are the French Evita Muzic (600), the Italian Erica Magnaldi (600), the Australian Lucy Kennedy (400) or the local riders Ane Santesteban (600) and Eider Merino (200).