"The final is spectacular" - Attila Valter expecting stage two of Itzulia Basque Country to be must-watch

The current Hungarian national road race champion, Attila Valter is at the Itzulia Basque Country in support of Jonas Vingegaard's quest for the overall win. After Ethan Hayter took a sprint win on stage one, Valter is expecting fireworks on stage two.

"We are here again to win the standings," Valter reveals in his pre-stage interview. "It's a great feeling to always be able to go for that with this team. I hope I can continue my progression and help Jonas Vingegaard to the overall victory here," defiantly backing Jumbo-Visma's chances of success.

With a mountainous day ahead finished by a steep downhill run-in to the finish line, Valter is expecting the general classification battle to get up and running and fireworks to fly. "In this stage it will be important to be there on the final climb," said Valter. 'The final is spectacular, because the descent to the finish is only four kilometers long. Alex Aranburu and Ion Izagirre will clench their hands."

"It will be an interesting week, because there is no climb of five kilometers at seven percent, for example. That offers opportunities for others," he continues. "They are all difficult stages, but no real uphill finish. That can make things more fun. David Gaudu and Vingegaard are therefore not always the favorites beforehand."