26/07/2022

Profile Clasica San Sebastian 2022

On July 30th, the World Tour peloton resumes its journey, bidding farewell to the Tour de France and turning its wheels towards Spain. A diverse array of classics and stage races awaits, including the Clasica San Sebastian. This race promises an exhilarating showdown as climbers and puncheurs vie for valuable points on the challenging course.

The route will total a long 223 kilometers on the road, without too much flat terrain as the mountains of the region will see the riders constantly go up and down throughout the day, totaling at just over 4000 meters of climbing throughout the day.

Donostia-San Sebastián - Donostia-San Sebastián, 223 kilometers

The race sees a lot of climbs early on, although it never goes into the high mountains, instead going through some hilly roads. The race is to be decided in the final hour of racing however, with three decisive climbs.

The first is the Jaizkibel, just on the outskirts of San Sebastián and a climb that is traditional in the race. It’s 7.4 kilometers long at 5.8% and summits with 63 kilometers to go, with a rather technical descent afterwards.

Valverde back to competition with block of Spanish races

Jaizkibel: 7.4Km; 5.8% average gradient; 63Km to go

A crucial ascent will be to Erlaitz, right afterwards. After it’s summit, with 43Km to go, there is a plateau section which can easily be a launchpad for crucial attacks as the peloton will be thinned out and many will be looking to save their legs for the final ascent. However on the slopes of the climb, which averages over 10% for 4 kilometers, differences can be made, attacks can be dealt and serious damage can be created for the race’s outcome.

Erlaitz: 4.0Km; 10.4% average gradient; 43Km to go

Over the last few years the crucial point has become the Alto de Murgil. Not decisive in the last two editions, however no matter what happens this will be a critical moment, as the riders look to save their legs for the final 900 meters of the climb where the gradients are vicious, up to 18%. A pure anaerobic effort which finishes with only 8 kilometers to go.

A short descent and a fast run-in back to the city center leaves the riders close to the finish, where either a small sprint fight or a solo winner will be crowned in San Sebastián.