Description
July 31, 2022
Circuito de Getxo – Memorial Hermanos Otxoa 2022 – Bilbao – Getxo : 196,5 km
The Circuito de Getxo is a hilly one-day race held in the cycling-mad Basque Country.
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July 31, 2022
Circuito de Getxo – Memorial Hermanos Otxoa 2022 – Bilbao – Getxo : 196,5 km
The Circuito de Getxo is a hilly one-day race held in the cycling-mad Basque Country. The race is ranked 1.1 by the UCI and is held regularly at the end of July, often just a day after the Clasica San Sebastián – the biggest one-day race in this autonomous region of Spain. Established in 1924, the race is one of the oldest in Spain and this year will host its 77th edition. Over its long history, the race has been dominated by the home nation with Spanish riders winning no fewer than 59 editions. The race is notoriously hilly but it doesn’t feature nearly as much climbing as its sister race, the Clasica San Sebastián. Instead, the climbs that feature on the route from Bilbao to Getxo tend to be rolling in nature and, as a result, suit many different types of riders.
Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) claimed the first victory of his young and highly promising career on Sunday, winning the Circuito de Getxo.
The Spaniard, who dominated the U23 Giro d’Italia last year before turning professional with UAE in the second half of 2021, has made steps forward this season but Sunday was a major milestone.
Ayuso reached the finish of the one-day race in a four-man group and proved the fastest to raise his arms for the first time in his pro career.
The 19-year-old beat fellow youngster Andrea Piccolo (Androni-Drone Hopper) to the line, with Wilco Kelderman (Bora-Hansgrohe) third. Valentin Ferron (TotalEnergies) was the final member of the lead group across the line in the sprint.
Ayuso came out on top in the 77th edition of a Basque one-day race that honours the memory of the Otxoa brothers. Sunday’s race covered 196.5km across six laps of a hilly circuit.
He was aggressive throughout and, despite not managing to get rid of everyone on the short sharp climbs, still had enough in the tank to outpace the final three in the dash for the line.
“It was incredible,” Ayuso said. “I want to thank the whole team because they worked for me and believed in me. At last my first professional victory has arrived.”
The victory on home soil will raise hopes in Ayuso ahead of his expected Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España.
Results :
 claimed the first victory of his young and highly promising career on Sunday, winning the Circuito de Getxo.
The Spaniard, who dominated the U23 Giro d'Italia last year before turning professional with UAE in the second half of 2021, has made steps forward this season but Sunday was a major milestone.
Ayuso reached the finish of the one-day race in a four-man group and proved the fastest to raise his arms for the first time in his pro career.
The 19-year-old beat fellow youngster Andrea Piccolo (Androni-Drone Hopper) to the line, with Wilco Kelderman (Bora-Hansgrohe) third. Valentin Ferron (TotalEnergies) was the final member of the lead group across the line in the sprint.
Ayuso came out on top in the 77th edition of a Basque one-day race that honours the memory of the Otxoa brothers. Sunday's race covered 196.5km across six laps of a hilly circuit.
He was aggressive throughout and, despite not managing to get rid of everyone on the short sharp climbs, still had enough in the tank to outpace the final three in the dash for the line.
"It was incredible," Ayuso said. "I want to thank the whole team because they worked for me and believed in me. At last my first professional victory has arrived."
The victory on home soil will raise hopes in Ayuso ahead of his expected Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España.
<strong>Results : </strong>
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