La Vuelta 2020 - Stage 1: Irun > Arrate. Eibar - 173 km
blazing_saddles
Posts: 20,675
Stage 1: Irun > Arrate. Eibar - 173 km
Tuesday 20th October, 12-10 BST
La Vuelta begins in style in the mountainous Basque Country. Starting in Irún, on the French/Spanish border, the race travels to a steep summit finish near Sanctuary of Arrate. The route adds up to 173 kilometres. La Vuelta served an Arrate finish in 2012, when big guns Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Joaquim Rodríguez and Alejandro Valverde battled it out on the steep slopes. The latter took the spoils.
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The Tour of the Basque Country serves a finish near the Sanctuary of Arrate. The winners in the last ten editions were Emanuel Buchmann (2019), Enric Mas (2018), Alejandro Valverde (2017), Diego Rosa (2016), Joaquim Rodríguez (2015, 2012), Wout Poels (2014), Nairo Quintana (2013) and Samuel Sánchez (2011, 2010).
The run-in to the finish climb is a gentle way to get La Vuelta started. Following a section on the flat the route takes in three uphills to stretch the legs – Puerto de Udana (6 kilometres at 2.3%),
Alto de Kampazar (6.7 kilometres at 4.1%),
Alto de Elgeta (6.2 kilometres at 5.2% overall but with a steep start)
– before the matadores battle it out on the steep ascent to the Sanctuary of Arrate.
The ascent is 5.3 kilometres long and slopes at 7.7%, but it actually comes down to the last 3 kilometres at almost 10%. After the peak the route continues for 2 kilometres on rolling terrain before the ultimate section goes downhill. So expect the finish to be at breakneck speeds.
Irun
3 stages of La Vuelta have departed from Irún
61.983 inhabitants
Irun is one of the main transit points between France and Spain. The Bidasoa River that flows between the two countries gave its name, among other things, to the historical handball team. This river contains a curious feature that concerns both countries: Pheasant Island. This tiny territory in the middle of the river is the smallest condominium in the world and is governed by France for six months a year, and by Spain for the remaining six months.
Arrate. Eibar
3 stages of La Vuelta have had finales in Eibar. Arrate.
9.245 inhabitants
Arrate is one of the Basque Country’s classic cycling climbs, automatically making it a Spanish cycling classic. It began by naming a cycling race: the ‘Subida a Arrate’; won by riders such as Luis Ocaña, Federico Martín Bahamontes and Raymond Poulidor. The French rider, who passed away recently, conquered Arrate on two occasions. With the race’s disappearance in 1986, the Eibar slopes have continued to be present in both the Itzulia Basque Country and in La Vuelta.
Basque Country Cuisine.
Alubias de Tolosa
Alubias de Tolosa is type of stew made from black beans from Tolosa cooked with onions, olive oil and salt. Pork, morcilla (blood sausage), peppers and chilli are usually added to the mix too, making a hearty feast, perfect during cold weather.
Pastel Vasco
The Basque Country’s most famous dessert is the Pastel Vasco – an almond-like cakey pastry case filled with a vanilla custard-like cream.
The wind is going to spice things up by the looks...
Tuesday 20th October, 12-10 BST
La Vuelta begins in style in the mountainous Basque Country. Starting in Irún, on the French/Spanish border, the race travels to a steep summit finish near Sanctuary of Arrate. The route adds up to 173 kilometres. La Vuelta served an Arrate finish in 2012, when big guns Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Joaquim Rodríguez and Alejandro Valverde battled it out on the steep slopes. The latter took the spoils.
The Tour of the Basque Country serves a finish near the Sanctuary of Arrate. The winners in the last ten editions were Emanuel Buchmann (2019), Enric Mas (2018), Alejandro Valverde (2017), Diego Rosa (2016), Joaquim Rodríguez (2015, 2012), Wout Poels (2014), Nairo Quintana (2013) and Samuel Sánchez (2011, 2010).
The run-in to the finish climb is a gentle way to get La Vuelta started. Following a section on the flat the route takes in three uphills to stretch the legs – Puerto de Udana (6 kilometres at 2.3%),
Alto de Kampazar (6.7 kilometres at 4.1%),
Alto de Elgeta (6.2 kilometres at 5.2% overall but with a steep start)
– before the matadores battle it out on the steep ascent to the Sanctuary of Arrate.
The ascent is 5.3 kilometres long and slopes at 7.7%, but it actually comes down to the last 3 kilometres at almost 10%. After the peak the route continues for 2 kilometres on rolling terrain before the ultimate section goes downhill. So expect the finish to be at breakneck speeds.
Irun
3 stages of La Vuelta have departed from Irún
61.983 inhabitants
Irun is one of the main transit points between France and Spain. The Bidasoa River that flows between the two countries gave its name, among other things, to the historical handball team. This river contains a curious feature that concerns both countries: Pheasant Island. This tiny territory in the middle of the river is the smallest condominium in the world and is governed by France for six months a year, and by Spain for the remaining six months.
Arrate. Eibar
3 stages of La Vuelta have had finales in Eibar. Arrate.
9.245 inhabitants
Arrate is one of the Basque Country’s classic cycling climbs, automatically making it a Spanish cycling classic. It began by naming a cycling race: the ‘Subida a Arrate’; won by riders such as Luis Ocaña, Federico Martín Bahamontes and Raymond Poulidor. The French rider, who passed away recently, conquered Arrate on two occasions. With the race’s disappearance in 1986, the Eibar slopes have continued to be present in both the Itzulia Basque Country and in La Vuelta.
Basque Country Cuisine.
Alubias de Tolosa
Alubias de Tolosa is type of stew made from black beans from Tolosa cooked with onions, olive oil and salt. Pork, morcilla (blood sausage), peppers and chilli are usually added to the mix too, making a hearty feast, perfect during cold weather.
Pastel Vasco
The Basque Country’s most famous dessert is the Pastel Vasco – an almond-like cakey pastry case filled with a vanilla custard-like cream.
The wind is going to spice things up by the looks...
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
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So here's the problem. I see something like this and I think that's my kind of thing. So I look up the recipe and it says cooking time 3 hours. It's 2020. nothing should more than an hour. It's just beans and pig. Sort it out.
And expanding on a theme, I think it would be better with Chorizo.
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
Cavanga, Suttelin, Wellens, Jauregui and Bol have a 3 minute 50" lead.
Should be about 35kms left by the time the Giro finishes, by my reckoning, in case anybody is planning to watch in this order.
Did anyone expect any other answer? I think he could be good later in the race. He's still hanging in there though.
Down to 8 in the front group of favourites .
Chaves, Grossartner, Mas same time, plus Carthy 4 seconds back and Kuss a few more back
Tough crowd...
Looks as if he and Kuss miraculously haven't dipped a fraction in form since the Tour.
Amazing consistency throughout the Jumbo team really.
So, Pinot, Woods, Valsov, Martinez and Izagirre already out of the GC battle, which leaves extremely thin pickings after just the first stage.
Froome will struggle on for a bit, but I see him climbing off, rather than coming good and climbing up.
Hope I am wrong, but....
If it makes you feel better, you were right that the tour would take place.