Zarautz – Zarautz

The first stage, starting and finishing in Zarautz, unfolds on familiar roads of the Gipuzkoa cycling calendar. It’s a route without major mountain passes, but with constant climbs and sections offering no respite. The six category 3 climbs are spread out in such a way that there’s hardly any flat terrain, with twisty sections in the middle that force riders to maintain their positions. The passage through narrow roads and the changes of pace can whittle down the peloton before the final third, where the short, steep climbs near the finish line often create gaps.