UAE Team Emirates-XRG ready up for a pair of Spanish one-day races

With a pair of one-day races on the cards in Spain, UAE Team Emirates-XRG can confirm its squads for the Clásica San Sebastián and the Circuit de Getxo, to be raced on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Looking to continue his fine form, which has seen him pick up wins at the Tour of Austria and the Clàssica Terres de l’Ebre of late, Isaac del Toro will be raring to go across the two races. The Mexican will be joined on both occasions by his teammate, Juan Ayuso, who will be making his first return to racing since the Giro d’Italia in May.

On his last outing at the Ordiziako Klasika, Del Toro crossed the line alongside his teammate and race winner, Igor Arrieta. It was a podium lock-out from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, who claimed 1-2-3 at the finish in Ordizia. Both Del Toro and Arrieta will be part of the Emirati squads competing in the one-day races this weekend.

Joining the pair will be Alessandro Covi, who finished fifth at the Clásica San Sebastián in 2021, Domen Novak, and Jay Vine, both of whom will be continuing their preparations for the Vuelta a España over the coming weeks.

With young Swiss talent Jan Christen also in the line-up, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad for this Saturday’s Clásica San Sebastián is as follows:
– Igor Arrieta (Spa)
– Juan Ayuso (Spa)
– Jan Christen (SUI)
– Alessandro Covi (Ita)
– Isaac del Toro (Mex)
– Domen Novak (Slo)
– Jay Vine (Aus)

The seven-man squad will be led from the team car by Sports Directors Tomas Gil and Fabrizio Guidi, as the Emirati squad looks to retain the title it won through Marc Hirschi last season.

Looking ahead to this weekend’s races, Del Toro spoke of his excitement at making his second appearance at the Clásica San Sebastián.

Del Toro: “I’m excited to be heading back to San Sebastián. The Basque fans are really passionate about cycling and always bring a special atmosphere.

“The team is on a great wave at the moment. We are working hard and enjoying ourselves at the races, and I think things are flowing well. The level at San Sebastián will be high, but I feel with the team we have, we can be competitive.”

At 211.3km in length, the Clásica San Sebastián is one of the most hotly-anticipated one-day races of the season.

Falling a week after the Tour de France, the race often features a split peloton, half of whom are coming off the Tour, and the other half who are tuning up for the Vuelta a España. Over a hilly parcours in the Basque Country, the mix makes for an entertaining contest that usually overdelivers.

With 3,726m of climbing to contend with, this is a race for climbers, that much is certain. The route may not be quite as hilly in the first half as in previous years, but the second half of racing looks just as fearsome as ever. The first test is perhaps the most well-known.

The Jaizkibel climb stretches out for almost 8km at 5.5%, and precedes a tricky, technical descent, which will take the riders into the final 60km. From here on out, the peloton will have to contend with the Erlaitz (3.9km at 10.6%), Mirakruz (900m at 4.7%), and Murgil Tontorra (2km at 9.6%) climbs before a fast descent into the final 3km.

Here, as the race dives into San Sebastián, a solo winner has often emerged. But if not, there may be the unique sight of seeing some of the world’s best climbers go head-to-head in a sprint.

A day later, UAE Team Emirates-XRG will head to the nearby Circuito de Getxo, another one-day test in the Basque Country. The Circuito de Getxo will bring good memories flooding back for Ayuso, who made the race his first professional win as a 19-year-old some three seasons back.

For UAE Team Emirates-XRG, only one change from Saturday’s Clásica San Sebastián will come in the form of Marcos Freire taking the place of Jan Christen. The Spanish Gen Z rider will be making his second appearance for the WorldTour side after his first outing at last week’s Vuelta a Castilla y Leon.

Taking in plenty of short, steep climbs across the Basque, the Circuito de Getxo stands at 175.2km with 2,165m of climbing. The toughest climb is the Alto de Pike, 2.1km at 9.3%, and the finish will take the riders to the town of Getxo, on the outskirts of Bilbao.

Once more, the team will be led by Tomas Gil and Fabrizio Guidi in the team car.