Itzulia Women 2024 route
All the route details for the 3rd edition of the three-day race
In what the organisers promise will be the most mountainous edition, the route of the 2024 Itzulia Women will cover 358.9km over three stages from May 12-14 in the Basque Country of Spain.
The third edition will include nine categorised mountain passes - one category 1, two category 2, and six category 3 - for a challenging event suited to the best climbers in the Women's WorldTour.
Stage 1: Vitoria-Gasteiz - Elgoibar, 140km
The first stage of the Itzulia Women 2024 is its longest and has the highest cumulative elevation gain. Despite having just 3 categorised mountain passes, it includes plenty of climbs and descents.
The 140km stage starting from Vitoria-Gasteiz could present a favourable day for a breakaway that could escape on the category 1 ascent of Olaeta, 37.7km into the stage. The last few kilometres climb steadily uphill on a continuous false flat until the finish line in Elgoibar.
Stage 2: Basauri - Basauri, 104km
The race organisers are expecting 104km stage 2 to be the most nervous stage this year. The figure-eight-shaped loop route includes three categorised ascents and a finish with several uncategorized punchy climbs and descents that are sure to decide the stage winner.
The final 10 kilometres will force contenders to be well positioned or able to manage the potential changes of pace or see their bid for overall victory vanish up the road.
Stage 3: Donostia - Donostia, 114.9km
In the most decisive stage of the race, the peloton will tackle a similar route to the Classica San Sebastian, which includes the Jaizkibel, Gurutze, and the climb up the Murgil wall to Mendizorrotz, followed by a descent and flat-run into Donostia.
Last year, the peloton shattered on the category 1 Jaizkibel, leaving an elite group of about 20 riders to fight for victory. Attacks flew on the Mendizorrotz climb, with a few chasers able to tack back onto the lead group of five riders until Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) made her winning solo move, less than 13km to go.
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Lyne has been involved in professional cycling for more than 15 years in both news reporting and sports marketing. She founded Podium Insight in 2008, quickly becoming a trusted source for news of the North American professional cycling world. She was the first to successfully use social media to consistently provide timely and live race updates for all fans. She is proud to have covered men's and women's news equally during her tenure at the helm of the site. Her writing has appeared on Cyclingnews and other news sites.
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Giro d’Italia 2024 - Analysing the contenders
Geraint Thomas, Romain Bardet, and Ben O'Connor all seek to challenge Pogačar's rosy road to the GC victory -
New Bianchi Infinito endurance bike gets internal cable routing, purple colour option
Updated frameset is more integrated than the top-spec Infinito CV, but comes without Countervail -
'I want it a lot more' - Kim Le Court puts Mauritius on the map
AG Insurance-Soudal's classics leader on representing Mauritius, overachieving and suffering through Paris-Roubaix -
Luke Rowe announces retirement at end of 2024 season
Ineos Grenadiers road captain hopes to round out 13-year career at Tour of Britain in Septemberg