Mikel Landa and Pello Bilbao to Lead Basque Riders at Clásica de San Sebastián
The Clásica de San Sebastián 2023 will feature two Basque riders, Mikel Landa and Pello Bilbao, who are both coming from a successful Tour de France campaign. Bilbao secured a stage win during the race, and they are now ready to take on the challenging 230.3-kilometer course with seven climbs in the Basque Country.
The race, which will have sections far steeper than its 10% average gradient suggests, will test the contenders’ abilities on climbs like the Jaizkibel, the Erlaitz, and the final test on Murgil-Tontorra. With steep hills and rugged terrain, the race will be a playground for both punchers and climbers.
Lead Sports Director Neil Stephens spoke about the team’s expectations for the race, stating, “We have two leaders: Pello and Mikel, both of whom are from the Basque Country. We will race to support Pello; he was in great form throughout the Tour de France, achieving a stage win and 6th place overall.” However, there are some concerns about Bilbao’s fatigue levels following the demanding Tour de France.
Landa, on the other hand, is looking to make a statement at San Sebastián after a slightly frustrating Tour de France. Stephens mentioned that Landa might have a wildcard in the finish or ride for himself, depending on how the race unfolds.
The team will also have the support of Santiago Buitrago, who is coming from Colombia and is participating in his first race since the Giro. The rest of the team, including Edoardo Zambanini, Johan Price, Jonathan Milan, and Yukiya Arashiro, will play supporting roles.
While expectations are high for the team, Stephens acknowledged the uncertainty of the riders’ performances, saying, “We are all aware that our team leaders are both coming from the Tour de France, so we are not exactly sure if they will be able to come back already and perform at their absolute best.”
The Clásica de San Sebastián promises to be an exciting race, and fans will be eager to see how the Basque riders perform in their home region.
