BiciRace.com :: 2005 Clásica San Sebastián

2005 Clásica San Sebastián, Preview

Clásica San Sebastián, Spain

13 August, 227K

A Basque One Day Classic

Overall Map, Profile
Startlist
Photos
Report and Results

Perdiguero Wins 2004 Edition, photo: Saunier Duval - Prodir

Mix together the Basque passion for cycling, a spectacular seaside resort town and the top cycling talent in the world and what do you get? A recipe for one great bike race: The Clásica San Sebastián.

Held every year since 1981, The Clásica San Sebastián consistently produces a winner with all around abilities, due in part to its bumpy parcours. Godfather of Basque cycling, Marino Lejarreta, owns the record for most victories (3). The results also typically favor stage racers, perhaps due to its proximity to the end of the Tour de France. Many of the past winners come out of the Tour with scorching form that carries over nicely to the hilly parcours of the Basque countryside. Stage race stalwarts Miguel Indurain, Gianni Bugno and Claudio Chiappucci have all triumphed on the roads in San Sebastián. Even the Tour de France king, Lance Armstrong, can lay claim to one San Sebastián victory (1995).

ProTour Leader: The Killer, photo: Capture-The -Peloton.com

The Italians will be bringing a full complement of riders that could easily take top honors. Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas-Bianchi) will be looking to solidify his Pro Tour lead, while countrymen Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner, winner in 1997), Paolo Bettini and Luca Paolini (both Quick-Step) will be eager to show Franco Ballerini that they are worthy of selection to the Squadra Azzurra for the World Championships. Spain has an equally talent laden roster with the likes of Igor Astarloa (Barloworld-Valsir), Constantino Zaballa (Saunier Duval-Prodir), Martin Perdiguero and Oscar Pereiro (both Phonak), all going for the jugular. Look for outsiders Axel Merckx (Davitamon-Lotto) and Chris Horner (Saunier Duval-Prodir) to surprise with their aggressive riding style.

The Profile, photo: Clásica San Sebastián

Race organizers waste no time in starting the action. After barely leaving the neutral zone the riders will tackle the category 3 Orio climb followed in quick succession by the category 2 Garate climb. At about kilometer 100 the riders will visit the category 2 Udana, which is also the high point of the race at approximately 550 meters. Following that, the riders have about 100 kilometers of relative calm before they tackle the brutish category 1 Jaizkibel.

It will take an effort of monumental proportions to reach the Jaizkibel summit alone and stay alone over the 35 kilometers that follow the Jaizkibel to the finish. A more likely scenario would be a small group of hard-men getting over the Jaizkibel, and then counter attacking each other into submission until a worthy victor emerges.

Stay tuned to BiciRace.com for post race results and commentary.
- Paco

Past Winners:
1981 Marino Lejarreta
1982 Marino Lejarrera
1983 Claude Criquelion
1984 Niki Rutiman
1985 Adri Van Der Poel
1986 Iñaki Gastón
1987 Marino Lejarreta
1988 Gert Jan Theunisse
1989 Gerarde Zadrobilek
1990 Miguel Indurain
1991 Gianni Bugno
1992 Raul Alcalá
1993 Claudio Chiappucci
1994 Armand De las Cuevas
1995 Lance Armstrong
1996 Udo Bolts
1997 Davide Rebellin
1998 Francesco Casagrande
1999 Francesco Casagrande
2000 Erik Dekker
2001 Laurent Jalabert
2002 Laurent Jalabert
2003 Paolo Bettini
2004 Martin Perdiguero