AG Insurance – Soudal ready to race in the Basque Country

AG Insurance – Soudal ready to race in the Basque Country

Mireia Benito, Justine Ghekiere and Urska Zigart will all pin on a number this weekend.

Following a strong outing at La Vuelta Femenina, AG Insurance – Soudal will be in action again in the Iberian Peninsula, at the three-day Itzulia Women, the hard stage race taking place between 16-18 May.

The parcours is a demanding one, comprising around a dozen classified climbs, with the last day set to be the decisive one. On Sunday, the peloton will take on a hilly route around San Sebastian, one of the Basque Country’s most charming cities, where the ascents of Jaizkibel (7.9km, 5.5%) and Mendizorrotz (6.4km, 5.3%) are sure to whittle down the bunch and make an important selection before the fast descent taking to the center of the city, where the fourth edition of the race will conclude.

AG Insurance – Soudal will be at the start with a strong squad comprising two-time Spanish ITT Champion Mireia Benito, Justine Ghekiere, Anya Louw, Gaia Masetti – who will make her first outing since the month of March – Julie Van De Velde and Slovenian Champion Urska Zigart.

“We are looking forward to three great days of competition and we hope to continue the positive way of racing from the Vuelta. The route isn’t as selective as what we had at the previous editions, but it remains a hard one. The last stage in San Sebastian will provide an exciting finale, especially as the last climb comes just eleven kilometers from the finish”, said sports director Dani Christmas. “We are happy to welcome Gaia back after her crash in Strade Bianche, together with Mireia and Urska, who both had to go home from the Vuelta due to illness. The team is motivated and ready for a solid race.”