Following a gently rolling first phase, the climbers can test their legs at the Andazarrate, a 5 kilometres slope with an average gradient of 5.7%. Some 60 kilometres later the second test takes the shape of the Azkarate. This is an ascent of 4.2 kilometre at 7.3%. The riders reach the summit after almost 90 kilometres of action.
The Azkarate descent precedes two climbs in quick succession, the Urraki (8.6 kilometres at 6.9%) and the Alkiza (4.4 kilometres at 6,2%). The riders then descend onto an undulating section and, eventually, a passage through San Sebastián to tackle Jaizkibel on the other side of the city. The 7.9 kilometres climb at 6.2% is a staple of the Clásica de San Sebastián.
Approximately 7 kilometres after the downhill from the Jaizkibel, and after a passage through Irún, the riders get a first taste of the finale. The Erlaitz is similar to the Pilotegi in the sense that it’s brutal: 3.8 kilometres at 10.6%. The route does not fly down straight away but continues in false flat fashion for about 4 kilometres.
The riders then descend back towards San Sebastián for a section that’s best described as the calm before the storm. For about 15 kilometres, all eyes will be on the new kid on the block, the Pilotegi. It’s a challenge of only 2 kilometres, but the average gradient of 11.7% is sheer intimidation.
That said, the first few hundred meters are not so bad, until the 14.5% gradients are introduced. This is essentially just dipping your toes in the abyss, as the gradients level off again. But… then it comes. The last 750 metres are pure horror with (average!) gradients of 17.9%, 19.7%, and 16.3% per 250 metres.
Upon cresting the Pilotegi, the riders fly down a technical descent of 4.6 kilometres before the final 3 kilometres are flat.
Remco Evenepoel won three out of the last four edition of the Clásica de San Sebastián. Last year, the Flemish star outgunned Pello Bilbao in a two-up sprint.
Another interesting read: results and start list 2024 Clásica de San Sebastián.
Clásica de San Sebastián 2024: routes, profiles, more
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