The official route for Itzulia 2021 was presented today 26 February. The presentation was in keeping with the times and adopted an online format. The 60th edition of the race will start with an individual time trial in Bilbao-Bilbao and will finish in Arrate.
OCETA has announced the route for Itzulia 2021, which will take place from 5 to 10 April and will cover 797.6km. This new route is based on the one presented for the 2020 edition but with some changes in the stage order and the inclusion of new locations on the route.
This edition will start with a 13.9km individual time trial in Bilbao. Making it clear who are the strongest riders from the outset. The second stage, 154.8km, will start in Zalla and run through Bizkaia, almost touching Cantabria and Castilla León and finish in Sestao. Day three is unchanged from last year, starting in Amurrio and arriving in Laudio, with that altitude finish in Ermualde that could make all the difference in the general classification. This is the longest stage with 189.1km linking Vitoria-Gasteiz with Hondarribia, although the finish line will be on the beach, the end will be demanding with its climb to Jaizkibel and Erlaitz and its subsequent descent to the finish line. The fifth stage will run from Hondarribia along the coast of Gipuzkoa to Ondarroa, where three summits await on the last segment of the route before reaching the coastal town. “Save the hardest for last”, is how the sixth and final stage between Ondarroa and Arrate (Eibar) could be summed up, with its 7 scoring mountain passes over a distance of just 111.9 km. With the winner set to raise their arms in Arrate, an iconic Itzulia location.
AN ITZULIA WITHOUT NAVARRE
These are very complicated and difficult times everywhere. This year’s route has been designed to avoid the movement of people through the territory as much as possible. The racing bubble should not be moved excessively on race days to minimise the risk of contagion. Despite not passing through Navarre, the spectacle will worthy of an Itzulia. One of the most internationally renowned races.
