Preview. Itzulia Basque Country organizers have not been shy of creating unusual looking stages this year and stage 2 is perhaps the most unusual, being a very hilly day but with a technical downhill finish that could see a lot of tension and danger.
Stage 2 is suited to the same type of riders at the opening day, however is a completely different finale. It's a very hard stage to predict with several scenarios possible for those who will fight for the stage win. The start of the day is slightly easier, but the second half is quite tougher.
Estimated start and time times for Stage 2: 13:40 - 18:30CET
The riders will have a quick sequence of climbs. Three hilltops that summit with 70, 60 and 45 kilometers to go. They'll be 5.6Km long at 4%, 4.4Km at 5.1% and finally 2.3Km at 9%. The peloton will have some reduction over these ascents, specially the last one as it's quite difficult. A descent then follows, and the riders will then go up a road they've ascended earlier in the day.
The town of Leitza will be crossed halfway through the ascents, and the riders will ride back but in the opposite direction. On the way to it is the climb to Arkiskil which is 11.1 kilomters at 3.1%. It's not a tough climb and shouldn't be important for the overall classification, but when it comes to the stage win it might. The ascent does have tougher gradients but it's mostly raced on false-flat roads where slipstreaming will matter quite a lot.
The climb summits with only 4.8 kilometers to go. However if anyone crosses the summit alone the win is almost guaranteed. Itzulia organizers have done something that's rare nowadays - for obvious reason - which is a pure downhill finish. The descent to the finish is very technical and the gradients are higher. It goes basically all the way into the line, the final 500 meters are flat but still with a downhill gradient, it's a very fast and sketchy urban finish.
The Weather
Some wind from the north. It will make for a general cross and headwind throughout the start of the day. However towards the end it won't be as crucial, as the mountains will cover it. However if it is the case, it should mean a crosswind in the final ascent.
The Favourites
Ethan Hayter - Hayter has put on a very strong sprint today and showed good form. It isn't easy to control, but INEOS seem to have the team to be able to do so and the Briton can at his best climb something like this comfortably. In a sprint he would be a big favourite of course.
Other puncheurs would have chances here, it's not a day that necessarily will see only climbers near the front. Quinten Hermans, Ide Schelling and Rui Costa are good cards, whilst Soudal - Quick-Step duo of Mauro Schmid and Andrea Bagioli stand good chances, whilst Rémi Cavagna could be a card for a breakaway or early attack.
There are a few riders that are descent specialists. Gorka and Ion Izagirre for once could be very interesting cards for this kind of finale near home. Omar Fraile and Alex Aranburu are all riders known for their descending abilities and riding in this region will be highly motivating for several of these riders. In the past Marc Hirschi has also shown good performances, he could try to surprise.
As for the GC guys they will need to be close to the front, and they certainly will. Daniel Martínez and Jonas Vingegaard have looked quite sharp today. This duo and David Gaudu could be the sharpest if attacks take place in the climb. Sergio Higuita, Mattias Skjelmose, Bauke Mollema, Rigoberto Urán, Richard Carapaz, Marc Soler and Brandon McNulty are all contenders. It'll be an open finish where many more riders could contest for the win.
Prediction Itzulia Basque Country 2023 stage 2:
*** Alex Aranburu
** Ethan Hayter, Ion Izagirre, Mauro Schmid
* Quinten Hermans, Ide Schelling, Omar Fraile, Daniel Martínez, Mattias Skjelmose, Marc Soler, Bauke Mollema
Pick: Alex Aranburu
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