Pello Bilbao on lack of stars at Itzulia Basque Country: "What happened last year was somewhat exaggerated by the consequences for all involved"

Pello Bilbao is one of the home riders this week at Itzulia Basque Country and together with Santiago Buitrago they are contenders for the overall classification but also stage win on several days. The Basque rider however was also asked about the non-presence of the world's best stage-racers, and he believes this is because of last year's mass crash.

Before the start of the race this Monday, in words to Marca, a honest Bilbao admitted that he is now in the final phase of his career. "It's not that I'm no longer motivated, but you must give up a lot in cycling. It is a demanding sport. Maybe it's time to change my life."

However racing in his area, the 35-year old will always be motivated to perform, and after a start of the season where he finished on the podium of the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana, UAE Tour and Top10 at Tirreno-Adriatico, it is expected that he can continue to be racing alongside the best. However unlike last year where the startlist included Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel amongst others, the startlist features a different mix of riders - mostly focused on the Tour de France. "This is my special home race and on a spectacular course. Some teams don't push their leaders, but this race differs from other years."

The crash that took out all three of those riders from the race last year may have negatively influenced the race's attractivity for the big riders, who want to avoid injuries ahead of the summer. "What happened last year was somewhat exaggerated by the consequences for all involved. It wasn't due to the course," he believes. "There have been editions of the Tour of the Basque Country in which much narrower and more technical roads were used. In the end, what happened happened."