ProTeam Young climbers’ squad to 61st Tour of Basque Country

Itzulia Basque Country is known as one of the hardest stage races on the calendar.

Race 03 April 2022

On Monday 4 April, the Tour of the Basque Country – a six-day WorldTour stage race in northern Spain – starts with a prologue in Hondarribia of just under eight kilometres. With the many climbs and variable weather conditions, Itzulia Basque Country is known as one of the hardest stage races on the calendar.

Lotto Soudal sends a climbers’ squad to the Basque Country with youngsters Filippo Conca, Steff Cras, Sylvain Moniquet, Harry Sweeny, Maxim Van Gils and Viktor Verschaeve. The Brit Matthew Holmes was initially scheduled to participate but has to forfeit due to sinusitis.

Sports director during the Basque Country is Cherie Pridham, who will guide the young team: “We are looking forward to the Tour of the Basque Country with a young but talented climbers’ group. The guys are hungry to show themselves and determined to continue the good flow the team is in. As usual, the Tour of the Basque Country has no easy stages, there’s a lot of elevation gain to be conquered this week. Also the weather conditions could play an important role in the Basque Country.”

“This is a good race for our youngsters to show something at the highest level. Maxim, Sylvain and Steff already showed to be in good form at the GP Indurain. We mainly target some nice stage results and want to make our presence felt”, concludes Cherie Pridham.

Stages Tour of Basque Country

Monday 4 April: Hondarribia – Hondarribia (7.5 km – prologue)

Tuesday 5 April: Leiza – Viana (208 km)

Wednesday 6 April: Laudio – Amurrio (182 km)

Thursday 7 April: Vitoria-Gasteiz – Ingeteam Parke Zamudio (186 km)

Friday 8 April: Ingeteam Parke Zamudio – Mallabia (164 km)

Saturday 9 April: Eibar – Arrate (136 km)