Faustino V – Eibar (Arrate)
Distance: 153km
Highest point: 940m
Category: Medium mountains
First test for the contenders
Following last year’s highly successful return to the Basque Country after a very long hiatus, Basque fans only get one chance to cheer their orange-clad heroes on the Euskaltel team this year. However, what a stage for such an early point in a grand tour. There are three categorised climbs leading into the ascent of the Arrate – a traditional feature of the Tour of the Basque Country and the much-missed Bicicleta Vasca – that rises 410m in just 5km. There are steep pitches along the way, followed by two flattish closing kilometres. The big guns will emerge, although the gaps between them will be small.
Igor Anton: "We’re back to the Basque Country after the success of last year in Bilbao and Vitoria. What memories I’ve got of those days! This is a special stage as we are on home ground. On the Arrate, we will see who is in form and who’s a bit off."
-
Tour of Bright: Will Cooper's 'wasn't expecting that' stage 1 win as Talia Appleton repeats Tawonga triumph and Luke Plapp smashes Strava KOM
Australian champions Plapp and Brodie Chapman close off Saturday's racing with stage 2 time trial wins -
Payson McElveen unveils film about 'once-in-a-lifetime' ride, finishing 242 miles of New Zealand trails with 25,000 feet of climbing in 24 hours
US rider says 'it was a surreal feeling' when he finished with 25 minutes to spare -
'I honestly feel there are bigger things to come' - Michael Matthews has renewed enthusiasm for cycling and for life after pulmonary embolism scare
Jayco-AlUla leader on his return to training and his love-hate relationship with Milan-San Remo -
'This is the training race … but it doesn't mean that I'm not going to go all out' – Brodie Chapman chases intensity at Tour of Bright ahead of key January goals in Australia
Australian time trial champion adapts to schedule change with additional race
