Profile & Route Clasica San Sebastian 2024

On the 10th of August we have got the first World Tour event following the Tour de France. The Clásica San Sebastián is often one of the most reputable one-day races, and every year sees a quality field of classics riders and climbers fight for victory. We take a look at it's profile.

The route will total a long 236 kilometers on the road with over 4400 meters of climbing which will leave the climbers and puncheurs as the main favourites. The race sees a lot of climbs early on, although it never goes into the high mountains, instead going through some hilly roads, and the final 10 kilometers will decide the outcome with four key climbs.

The first is the Jaizkibel, 7.4 kilometers long at 5.8% and summits with 94 kilometers to go, with a rather technical descent afterwards. It is farther from the finish this year with the addition of a new climb, but it remains the race's most iconic ascent. It ends with 60 kilometers to go and prepares for the main climb of the day.

It's followed by the Erlaitz ascent with it’s summit at 40Km to go, it 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. With it's constant and tough gradients it may be the location where the climbers are the most comfortable and where the race can explode. A plateau section follows before descending into San Sebastián for the first time.

Then finally, the race's new climb. It's not fully new so to say, as it is right besides other climbs that are traditionally used and are part of the same hill, but through a different road. Pilotegi, the race's new monster... 2.1 kilometers at 11.3% and it's one where the riders save themselves to the final ramp. Why? Because it reaches an insane 27% close to the summit. A brutal 'goat track' which will make differences regardless of what happens.

The descent to the finish then is technical, fast and will leave the riders with only 3 kilometers to go. It is then a fast flat road into the heart of San Sebastián where there will be a solo winner or small sprint for victory.