On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, EKIN will host the start of the 5th stage of Itzulia 2023 with the finish line in Amorebieta-Etxano. Ruben Manzanedo, president of Club Ciclista Amorebieta, Andoni Agirrebeitia, mayor of Amorebieta-Etxano, Goretti Frías, president of Ekin S Cooperativa, Aitor Silloniz of Recymet Systems and Julian Eraso, president of OCETA presented the stage today in Amorebieta-Etxano.
The details of the fifth stage of Itzulia 2023 were presented today in Amorebieta-Etxano. The event took place at the Amorebieta-Etxano town hall attended by Ruben Manzanedo, president of Club Ciclista Amorebieta, Andoni Agirrebeitia, mayor of Amorebieta-Etxano, Goretti Frías, president of Ekin S Cooperativa, Aitor Silloniz of Recymet Systems and Julian Eraso, president of OCETA. Who shared their views on what this finish line could mean for the Biscayan town and Itzulia.
Sociedad Ciclista Amorebieta highlighted the importance of being able to once again enjoy the presence of the best riders in the world thanks to ITZULIA, which encourages new generations of youngsters to commit to this wonderful sport and enroll in the SCA school, where the training of the next generation is a priority.
During the presentation, Andoni Agirrebeitia, the mayor of the Amorebieta-Etxano, pointed out that 2023 will be a historic year for the town in terms of cycling: “On 7 April we will host the start and finish of our Itzulia, a source of pride for the people of Amorebieta-Etxano. A 165.9-kilometer stage, in which the world’s top cyclists will travel our roads, backed by the caravan that makes it all possible”.
Agirrebeitia underscored that Amorebieta-Etxano has deep cycling roots: “Today I share a table with the main representative of Amorebieta Cycling Club, organisers of Klasika Primavera, a race that has been held in our municipality since 1946. I would like to remind you all that thanks to this race, the people of Amorebieta-Etxano have seen great cyclists raise their arms at the finish line, such as Txomin Perurena, Fede Etxabe, Julián Gorospe, Marino Lejarreta, Laurent Jalabert, Roberto Heras, Alejandro Valverde, David Etxebarria, Carlos Sastre, Purito Rodríguez and Samuel Sánchez. I would also like to take this opportunity to praise the tireless work of SC Amorebieta in promoting our cycling youth”.
Lastly, the mayor of Amorebieta-Etxano encouraged residents to enjoy the great cycling festival on 7 April.
The president of EKIN S. Cooperativa commented that it was an honor to participate in Itzulia 2023 and lend its name to the stage that will run through the town, on the company’s 60th anniversary. “Collaboration with Itzulia is very important to the members of this cooperative, who share its social values of commitment to the environment and development through participation in different social initiatives, such as our support for Amorebieta Cycling Society. At Ekin, we are aware that collaboration with local organisations is essential to supporting them in their development, and this year’s participation in Itzulia is the finishing touch in terms of our collaboration with Basque sport and cycling”.
From Recymet Systems, Aitor Silloniz (former professional cyclist and SCA rider) stressed that in addition to the sporting aspect, he would always be grateful for the discipline and values he acquired during his time at SCA, and would always be indebted to it and the people he had met and continues to meet – always working for the good of the town and the sport, not-for-profit.
Julián Eraso commented after the signing, “we are very happy that Amorebieta-Etxano wishes to be part of Itzulia. A town that has been linked to cycling with the Amorebieta classic and which, as well as being part of Itzulia, will host one of the starts in the Tour de France”.
Roberto Laiseka, the race’s technical director, predicted, “a complicated and ideal stage for team managers to move their riders, where regardless of a lack of important mountain passes to Paresi, it will traverse ideal terrain for testing strategies for the finish, entering a circuit in which being at the front will be very important in terms of keep options open in the general classification”.
