“The Iconic Race Through the Basque Country’s Beautiful Terrain”
The Clásica de San Sebastián 2025 will take place on August 2, 2025, in San Sebastián, Spain. This one-day race is one of the most prestigious classics on the cycling calendar, attracting top riders from around the world. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Basque Country, the Clásica de San Sebastián offers a challenging route that tests riders with hilly terrain, sharp climbs, and spectacular scenery.
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The Clásica de San Sebastián is a key event in the cycling season, providing a perfect opportunity for puncheurs, climbers, and classics specialists to shine. With a history dating back to 1981, the race has grown in stature and is now a major part of the UCI World Tour calendar. The 2025 edition promises another exciting contest as world-class riders battle it out on the roads of northern Spain.
📚 History of the Clásica de San Sebastián
First held in 1981, the Clásica de San Sebastián quickly became one of Spain’s most important cycling races. The event has traditionally featured puncheur-type riders, those who can excel on short but steep climbs. Over the years, it has attracted numerous big names, including Alejandro Valverde, Julian Alaphilippe, and Michael Matthews, all of whom have tasted victory in this race.
The course has evolved over time, but its defining feature remains the challenging climbs, particularly the Jaizkibel, which often proves decisive. This climb, along with others like the Murgil-Txiki, creates a tough challenge for riders as they aim to secure victory.
🌍 Past Winners of the Clásica de San Sebastián
The Clásica de San Sebastián has seen a wide variety of cycling stars claim victory over the years. Recent winners include:
2024: Michael Matthews (Team BikeExchange-Jayco)
2023: Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates)
2022: Benoît Cosnefroy (AG2R Citroën Team)
2021: Mark Cavendish (Deceuninck-Quick Step)
2020: Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott)
These winners have all demonstrated their skills on the steep Basque climbs, making it clear that the Clásica de San Sebastián rewards versatility, stamina, and tactical intelligence.
🚴♀️ Clásica de San Sebastián 2025 Route: Hills, Climbs, and Spectacular Scenery
The 2025 edition of the Clásica de San Sebastián will feature the traditional hilly course, which is renowned for its steep climbs and technical descents. The race is typically around 225 kilometers long, with several key climbs that could influence the final outcome. The route will wind through the beautiful Basque countryside, with the Bay of Biscay and the city of San Sebastián providing a stunning backdrop.
Key Features of the 2025 Route
Jaizkibel: The Jaizkibel climb is one of the defining moments of the race. It’s a 10-kilometer ascent with an average gradient of around 5%, though there are steeper sections. This climb is often where the final selection is made, with only the strongest riders able to survive its demands.
Murgil-Txiki: The Murgil-Txiki is another steep climb that often proves decisive. Riders will face a steep, narrow ascent that leads into the final stages of the race.
City Finish: The final kilometers of the race take place in the city of San Sebastián, where the riders will face a challenging technical finish with sharp corners and short, steep rises. It’s a place for the strongest sprinter or punchy climber to make their move and take the win.
Typical Climbs and Challenges
The climbs in the Clásica de San Sebastián are not as long or as steep as some of the major Grand Tour climbs, but they are perfectly suited to the puncheur riders who can attack on short, sharp inclines. Riders who are explosive over the last kilometers can gain significant time, while others who may lack pure climbing ability might struggle in the race’s final section.
The Basque landscape provides both beauty and difficulty. Riders must deal with changing weather conditions, narrow roads, and technical descents that require skill and precision.
🚀 Key Contenders for the Clásica de San Sebastián 2025
With its challenging route and demanding climbs, the Clásica de San Sebastián 2025 will feature some of the best classics riders in the world. These are the riders who excel on hilly terrain and explosive climbs, often thriving in one-day races with difficult conditions.
Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step)
Julian Alaphilippe is a rider known for his explosive power on short climbs, and he has already won this race in the past. With his attacking style and ability to recover in the final kilometers, he will be one of the top favorites for the win in 2025.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team)
The veteran Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde has a long history with the Clásica de San Sebastián, having claimed victory several times. In 2025, he will still be a contender, thanks to his impressive consistency in one-day races and his ability to handle steep climbs.
Mateo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates)
Matteo Trentin is a strong contender for Clásica de San Sebastián 2025. Known for his punchy attacks and ability to perform in classics, Trentin will look to repeat his success and challenge for victory in 2025.
Benoît Cosnefroy (AG2R Citroën Team)
The 2022 winner, Benoît Cosnefroy, will be another contender in 2025. He has the perfect skill set for one-day classics, with a good combination of climbing ability and explosive power to succeed in the Basque climbs.
Michael Matthews (Team BikeExchange-Jayco)
The 2024 winner of the Clásica de San Sebastián, Michael Matthews, is a fast and powerful rider who thrives in hilly terrain. His ability to sprint after a tough climb makes him a serious contender for 2025 as well.
🏆 Clásica de San Sebastián 2025: Event Schedule and Key Dates
🗓️ August 2, 2025
Start Date: The Clásica de San Sebastián 2025 will begin in the morning, with riders facing a long, challenging course filled with climbs and tactical battles.
Key Climbs: The race will feature Jaizkibel, Murgil-Txiki, and several other tough climbs. The winner will likely be determined by a strong attack on the final ascent or in the last kilometers of the race.
Finish Line: Riders will finish in San Sebastián, where the final sprint will decide the winner, usually after a difficult and demanding day of racing.
People Also Ask (PAA) for Clásica de San Sebastián 2025
1. When does the Clásica de San Sebastián 2025 take place? The Clásica de San Sebastián 2025 will take place on August 2, 2025.
2. Where is the Clásica de San Sebastián held? The race is held in San Sebastián, located in the Basque Country, northern Spain.
3. Who are the favorites to win the Clásica de San Sebastián 2025? Julian Alaphilippe, Alejandro Valverde, and Michael Matthews are some of the favorites for 2025.
4. What is the route for Clásica de San Sebastián 2025? The route will feature several tough climbs, including Jaizkibel and Murgil-Txiki, and a technical finish in San Sebastián.
