Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco 2012: Preview

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Defending Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco champion Chris Horner (RadioShack) on the decisive Alto de la Antigua ascent.(Image credit: Rafael Gómez Alonso)

As the peak of Spring Classics racing is being attained in the Northern European countries, Spain is holding its first major stage race in the Basque Country, lining up an impressive field of climbers and GC specialists. Whether they are fine-tuning their form to be at the top of their game for the Giro d'Italia, or having the Vuelta a Pais Vasco as an objective in its own right, riders will be fighting hard in the six-stage event.

Saved from cancellation in the very last minute by bank sponsor Sabadell-Guipuzcoano, the 52nd edition of the event will once again see American team RadioShack-Nissan with the two main favourites: Chris Horner and Andreas Klöden. Horner, who won the race two years ago, showed his great form this spring by finishing second in Tirreno-Adriatico recently. Defending champion Klöden, who finished seventh against the clock on the Col d'Eze in Paris-Nice, is also on the rise.

The American squad also including Fränk Schleck and Jens Voigt will however encounter potent rivals, even if Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) will not be at the start due to injury. Generally, the Spaniards are of course highly motivated to take back the title, and even more so Basque rider Samuel Sanchez. Euskaltel, on home ground, will do everyhting to reclaim the crown, also lining up Igor Anton and Mikel Astarloza, back from a doping-related suspension.

Italy also sends some competition with Lampre's Damiano Cunego and Michele Scarponi. The 2011 Giro d'Italia winner may not have the form of last year yet, but together with Cunego, who has his eyes on the Ardennes Classics, they could make it hard for the favourites. The same goes for John Gadret, Jean-Christophe Péraud and Rinaldo Nocentini of AG2R La Mondiale, desperate to score a first 2012 victory for their team.