Simon Yates leads Jayco AlUla at Itzulia Basque Country: "The racing is usually really aggressive at ‘Itzulia’ and I expect this year will be no different"

In the shadow of the Tour of Flanders, not much attention has been at the Itzulia Basque Country. However this afternoon the six-day stage-race begins with an explosive route, and Simon Yates headlines Team Jayco AlUla's ambitions to take a strong result.

“I’m looking forward to returning to the Basque Country, it is an area I love to race in," Yates said in a press release. "The racing is always really hard with the relentless terrain, unpredictable weather and a lot of steep, short and punchy climbs that I like to race on. The racing is usually really aggressive at ‘Itzulia’ and I expect this year will be no different."

The Briton is racing Itzulia for the first time since 2017, as he puts his sights on a mountainous Tour de France this year. He isn't alone, as many of his expected rivals in July will join him here. The six days of racing are almost completely hilly and on paper five of them could see gaps in the overall classification. The combination of steep climbs, expected aggressive racing and a diverse group of GC contenders with no clear favourite will make it an exciting race and Yates is looking to be a part of it.

"After a different start to the season for me, starting off in Australia in January, the form is building again, and I am feeling good after recovering and training hard since Paris-Nice. We have a solid team, and it will be great to race with Dunbar, as he returns to racing after his injury. It is slightly different this year with no ITT but still many similar climbs like the final stage in Eibar. Let’s hope it is a good six days," he concluded.

Team Jayco AlUla for Itzulia Basque Country: Simon Yates, Eddie Dunbar, Matteo Sobrero, Chris Juul-Jensen, Jan Maas, Chris Harper and Lawson Craddock.