The San Sebastián Klasikoa returns on Saturday, August 1, with Remco Evenepoel heading a deep field in the Basque Country.
The 45th edition offers another demanding one-day test over 221.2 kilometres. The route includes 4,284 metres of climbing and several sharp climbs near San Sebastián.
Evenepoel starts as the central figure for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. The Belgian arrives less than a week after finishing second at the Tour de France. He also won two stages during that race.
The three-time winner already owns victories in San Sebastián from 2022 and 2023. He has shown several ways to win here, including long-range attacks and a sprint finish. In 2023, he settled the race against Pello Bilbao.
San Sebastián Klasikoa route builds toward steep finale
The race again favours riders who can climb hard after a long, uneven day. Short ascents appear throughout the course, but the decisive sequence comes late.
Jaizkibel begins the main selection. The climb lasts eight kilometres and averages 5.4 percent. It usually reduces the peloton before the race moves quickly toward Erlaitz.
Erlaitz offers a very different challenge. It measures 3.8 kilometres, but averages 11 percent. Long double-digit sections and pitches above 13 percent make it a clear danger point.
The summit of Erlaitz still leaves 42.5 kilometres to race. That distance may deter some attacks, but it can also expose weaker teams.
After passing the finish line for a second time, the race turns toward Murgil Tontorra. The final climb is only two kilometres long, yet averages 9.8 percent.
The numbers understate the difficulty. Gradients reach 18.5 percent, giving explosive climbers an obvious place to attack.
Only the descent and run-in to San Sebastián remain after the summit. That makes Murgil Tontorra the most likely launchpad for the winning move.
Evenepoel and Ciccone lead the favourites
Defending champion Giulio Ciccone returns for Lidl-Trek after winning last year on the same final climb. The Italian attacked on Murgil Tontorra and distanced Jan Christen before the summit.
Ciccone skipped the Tour de France, so he should arrive fresher than several key rivals. He also knows precisely where the race can break open.
The main question concerns his tactics against Evenepoel. Ciccone may try to anticipate the Belgian, rather than respond on the steepest ramps.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe also brings Giulio Pellizzari as another option. The Italian should handle the climbing, although he has less experience in major one-day races.
Pellizzari showed his ability on explosive terrain with fourth place on Superga earlier this season. That result suggested he can handle a short, steep finish.
Lenny Martinez gives Bahrain Victorious a dangerous climber after placing fifth at the Tour de France. He performed strongly in the high mountains and can accelerate on shorter climbs.
Recovery will matter for Martinez after three weeks of racing. If he has absorbed the Tour well, Murgil Tontorra should suit him.
Local hopes and outside threats in San Sebastián Klasikoa
Alex Aranburu carries part of the local expectation for Cofidis. He has the climbing ability to survive the final ascents and the speed for a reduced sprint.
Marc Hirschi, the 2024 winner, also returns with Tudor. Neilson Powless, who won in 2021 for EF Education-EasyPost, adds another former champion to the start list.
Mauro Schmid arrives for Jayco AlUla after taking a breakaway victory at the Tour de France. That win was the first WorldTour victory of his career.
Schmid suits an aggressive race and could become dangerous if given space before the final climb. Quinn Simmons gives Lidl-Trek another card after an impressive Tour in support roles.
Lennert Van Eetvelt should like the course for Lotto-Intermarché. However, a broken rib affected his Tour de France, making his recovery a key unknown.
Matteo Jorgenson returns to San Sebastián for the first time since 2021. The Visma | Lease a Bike rider will look to build on an encouraging final Tour week.
Several outsiders could also affect the race if the finale opens early. Dylan Teuns, Noa Isidore, Christian Scaroni, Gianmarco Garofoli, Emiel Verstrynge and Jarno Widar all start as riders to watch.
The combination of Tour form, steep Basque climbs and former winners gives the race several tactical layers. Even so, the burden of control sits firmly with Evenepoel and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.