Tour of the Basque Country 2016 Route stage 2: Markina-Xemein – Baranbio

No flat metre in sight in stage 2 of the Tour of the Basque Country, yet the real peaks pop up with 45, 56 and 127 kilometres done. In order of appearance we are talking the Untzella, Krutzeta and Mendeika, while the closing climb ads a grueling finishing touch.

The closing climb is in Gorbea National Park, which takes its name from highest peak the Gorbea (or, as the Basques prefer to call it, Gorbeiagane) at an elevation of 1,481 metres.

Yet, the riders don’t go that high. As always the climbs in the Tour of the Basque Country may be steep, but they are not too long. Obviously, not a bad thing if grades balloon to up to 20%…

The closing climb leads to an elevation of 610 metres, while stage 2 peaks at 740 metres at the top of the Krutzeta. You’ll find all details on the climbs in underneath slideshow.

Race results/race report stage 2, 2016 Tour of the Basque Country.

Tour of the Basque Country 2016 stage 2: Route maps, height profiles, and more

Click on the images to zoom

All stages

Route and profile

Profile

Route 2nd stage

Start in Markina-Xemein

Final kilometres

Climb details

Finish in Baranbio

Start and finish at Google maps

Tour of the Basque Country Tweets