Preview Clásica San Sebastián 2025 - Who Can Challenge Isaac Del Toro in Basque Country?

Route

The Clásica San Sebastián is one of the toughest one-day races of the year, featuring over 200 kilometers, many climbs, and especially a brutally steep final climb. This year, we see that formula again, although there have been some changes compared to last year. For example, the riders have to cover 'only' 211 kilometers instead of nearly 240 kilometers, and two climbs have been replaced.

After the start in San Sebastián, the riders head to the first climb of the day, the Andazarrate (5.9 km at 5.7%). After a long descent and some rolling terrain, a new climb follows after about 80 kilometers of racing. Two climbs will come in quick succession then. These are the Urraki (8.6 km at 6.8%) and the Alkiza (4.4 km at 5.9%). The Urraki climb will surely take its toll. At the start of that climb, there is a kilometer at almost 10% gradient.

These two climbs will serve more as a warm-up for the finale, which comes quite quickly afterward. After roughly 30 kilometers over rolling roads, the riders reach the foot of the Jaizkibel (7.9 km at 5.5%). In the past, Jaizkibel was a key selector in this race. Nowadays, that is no longer the case, as the climb is too far from the finish.

After Jaizkibel, it’s quickly time for the brutally steep Erlaitz (3.9 km at 10.6%). The top of this climb is about forty kilometers from the finish line, an ideal spot to really shake things up. Following a long descent, the riders prepare for the final climb, the Murgil Tontorra (2 km at 9.6%). This climb returns to the route after a long absence. The riders know well that it is an extremely steep climb, especially in the last kilometer when gradients surpass 14%. From the summit, it’s just under ten kilometers to the finish.