The Tour of the Basque Country, also known as the Itzulia Basque Country, is back to celebrate its centenary. This internationally renowned cycling event takes place 1-4 April 2024 and will go through the most iconic landscapes of the Basque Country over six gruelling stages. The race brings together the best cyclists in the world who will complete for glory over a challenging, exciting route.
This year the Itzulia Basque Country is marking its centenary with a very special race which will unfold over six gruelling stages that will take in the mountains and most iconic landscapes of the Basque Country.
As the principal sponsor of the Tour of the Basque Country for more than a decade,
Banco Sabadell is reaffirming its commitment to sport and elite cycling. The financial entity shares values such as effort, perseverance and innovation, which are fundamental both in sport and in business. Our support for the Tour of the Basque Country shows not only Banco Sabadell’s commitment to the development and progress of the Basque Country but also our support for our clients and the wider community.
The Tour of the Basque Country is not only an elite sporting contest, but also a unique opportunity to discover the beauty and culture of the Basque Country. Spectators will be able to enjoy impressive landscapes, picturesque villages and delicious food along the route of the race. The race also boosts travel and tourism and the local economy, with a positive impact on the local economy.
We also have a strong presence in, and strong links with, the Basque Country, where we have an extensive network of branches and financial services. Our sponsorship of the Itzulia Basque Country is an example of our commitment to the development and progress of the Basque Country and of our support for our clients and the wider community.
The routes of the Itzulia 2024 covers the whole of the Basque Country
For this centenary race, the organisers have designed a course on which the competitors will face demanding climbs that generally decide the general classification. The 63rd edition of the race will enter Iparralde. The time trial is back and will be Stage 1 of six stages in an historic race.
The race will cover 832.1 kilometres and will have 22 climbs that will determine the winner of the king of the mountain’s jersey: 1st Category: 4 climbs; 2nd Category: 5 climbs; and 3rd Category: 13 climbs.
? El Banco Sabadell patrocinará un año más el Gran Premio de la Itzulia Basque Country ✅
?Aurten ere Itzulia Basque Country lasterketako Sari Nagusia Banco Sabadell bankuak babestuko du ?
? @BancoSabadell #Itzulia2024 pic.twitter.com/x9ToyHao3w
— Itzulia Basque Country (@ehitzulia) February 26, 2024
The details of the #Itzulia2024 are as follows:
Stage 1: IRUN–IRUN 10 km
The time trial is back in the Itzulia. It is a short and not very demanding course that does have some gradients. It is essential for the riders to get off to a good start in this first stage and find their rhythm. There is a small section of cobbles with a gradient of 10% right after the start. That will show us who is up for it. After a rolling section, there is the single climb, a ramp of 1.7 km at 5.2% that they will have to do at full gas. From there, the riders traverse Olaberria ward to reach the ramp that rises to the town square. Barring surprises, no one is expecting big gaps between the principal contenders.
Stage 2: IRUN–KANBO 160 km
The race enters Iparralde on a stage over very deceiving terrain. There is only one categorised climb, and the stage has constant climbs and descents. There are narrow sections in which the peloton will have to fight for position. This could be a stage for the breakaway.
Stage 3: EZPELETA–ALTSASU 190.9 km
The longest stage of 2024’s race, with six climbs with points in the KOM competition. From the off, the climbing starts in Otsondo, a good place for a large, strong breakaway to get up the road. The last two climbs may determine the group that contests the finish.
Stage 4: ETXARRI-ARANATZ–LEGUTIO 157.5 km
We start with 25 kilometres of false flat followed by the climb to Opakua, the ideal climb for a breakaway to form. After that, a section of high moorland until the riders pass the finish for the first time. In the last part of the circuit, the nerves will start to jangle with three short but demanding climbs. The riders complete the last climb at just 8 kilometres from the finish.
Stage 5: VITORIA-GASTEIZ–AMOREBIETA-ETXANO 175.9 km
The start will be the only ‘calm’ part of the day until the rides descend to the first of four entries into Amorebieta. From there, the race hits a 1st category climb and starts a circuit with two ascents of Muniketa and another small climb that does not score any KOM points. The riders will pass twice opposite the finish and twice through Amorebieta before reaching the finish.
Stage 6: EIBAR–EIBAR 137.8 km
As in 2023, the last stage is the queen stage of this year’s Itzulia. A challenging, very demanding stage from the beginning, in which the riders contesting the general classification will be to the fore.
A good team is essential to be able to control the race, as we have seen in previous years.
The 2024 Tour of the Basque Country is an international cycling event that attracts thousands of fans from all parts of the world. As well as the official competitions, there are activities for the whole family, such as fairs, concerts and gastronomic events. The Itzulia Basque Country is a festival of cycling that brings together people of all ages from everywhere, united by a passion for the sport of cycling.
