Etixx-Quick Step will line up at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco next week with the aim of supporting in-form Irish rider Dan Martin.
The 56th edition of the race starts today with a route that’s suited to strong climbers. There will be no easing into the race as the first stage from Etxebarria to Markina-Xemein will feature eight categorised climbs with the final climb of Aistia just eight kilometres from the finish.
The difficulties will continue on stage 2 with a summit finish to Amurrio-Baranbio. Friday’s fifth stage to Arrate (Eibar) with a Category One summit finish to Santuario de Arrate (5.4 km, 8.2%) will have a big influence on the GC and the race concludes with a 16-kilometre hilly time-trial.
Gianluca Brambilla, Rodrigo Contreras, Laurens De Plus, Pieter Serry, Martin Velits, Julien Vermote and Carlos Verona will line up for Etixx-Quick Step alongside Martin in the ninth World Tour event of the season.
For Dan Martin, this will be his third Spanish stage race of the season, following Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and Volta a Catalunya, in which he won a stage apiece.
The 29-year-old returns to Vuelta al Pais Vasco for the first time in four years and he’s determined to continue on the same road since he’s joined the team and notch another strong result before kicking his Ardennes campaign, especially as he will be supported by a well-rounded and motivated team.
“Pais Vasco sticks to its roots, which means many tough climbs and many
“We won’t see too many bunch sprints, which will be to Dan Martin’s liking, as he can sprint from a reduced group. He will lead the team and go for a good GC result, which he can get, considering his form and the fact he will rely on a strong team, which includes Gianluca Brambilla and Carlos Verona, two riders who showed good form thus far this season.”
Stages
Monday 04 April 2016 Stage 1 Etxebarria > Markina-Xemein 144 km
Tuesday 05 April 2016 Stage 2 Markina-Xemein > Baranbio-Garrastatxu (Amurrio) 174.3 km
Wednesday 06 April 2016 Stage 3 Vitoria-Gasteiz > Lesaka 193.5 km
Thursday 07 April 2016 Stage 4 Lesaka > Orio 165 km
Friday 08 April 2016 Stage 5 Orio > Arrate (Eibar) 159 km
Saturday 09 April 2016 Stage 6 Eibar > Eibar (ITT) 16.5 km
