The Clasica San Sebastian boasts an eclectic peloton that brings together riders who have just completed the Tour de France and those who are building towards the Vuelta a España and other races in the final months of the season.
The racing in and around the coastal town is never less than enthralling, while local support is never lacking in the Basque Country, one of the heartlands of cycling. The Jaizkibel is the emblematic climb of the race, and though it comes almost 100km from the finish, it signals the beginning of the denouement. In the finale, the ascents of Mendizorrotz and Murgil-Tontorra are ideal springboards for attackers.
Remco Evenepoel (Deceuninck-QuickStep) did just that in 2019, soloing to a remarkable victory at the tender age of 19. The neo-professional’s victory earned him comparisons with Eddy Merckx, and he followed up with the European time trial title four days later.
