From the 7th to the 12th of April, the peloton will take on Itzulia Basque Country; a race that is well known for it's course designed for climbers and puncheurs in a region full of cycling history. We preview stage 5.
Stage 5 is a tricky day to predict, a hilly day but the climbs aren't truly brutal. The overall classification can absolutely implode if someone fully devotes to attacking the race, however if this isn't the case we may have a tactical finale or even reduced bunch sprint - if not a breakaway - to decide the outcome of the day.
The ascent to Zalobante will be under the spotlight, being 4.9 kilometers long at 6.4% and ending with 14 kilometers to go. The first half of this climb averages almost 10% and can be used to make the difference. Regardless, the peloton will lose men, and it's possible that over the less steep second half there will be attacks and attempts to go for a solo win, not based on strength but instead on tactics.
However this can be played in many different ways, as with 3 kilometers to go there is a 700-meter ramp that averages 6% where more attacks can happen. A finale that is open to many kinds of riders and can be quite interesting, even bringing forward some surprises.
The Weather
Prediction Itzulia Basque Country 2025 stage 5:
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Original: Rúben Silva
🔝2025EKO ITZULIA BASQUE COUNTRYREN KARTEL OFIZIALA 🔝
— Itzulia Basque Country (@ehitzulia) March 25, 2025
Gaur aurkeztu dugu 2025eko Itzulia Basque Countryren kartel ofiziala.
Itzuliaren 64. edizioko kartelaren egilea David de las Heras da, @david_delasheras
🔥 CARTEL OFICIAL DE LA ITZULIA BASQUE COUNTRY 2025 🔥
Hoy hemos… pic.twitter.com/gBcoLRkjzo