Itzulia Basque Country 2022 – Stage 1

We kick things off with a short TT in Hondarribia. It is going to be a fast one and it will be the climbs that matter in my book. Also, how well you accelerate out of the corners.

Weather

The same conditions for everyone tomorrow.

Contenders

Roglic – will start as the favorite and will likely win if he avoids accidents.

Vingegaard – had a poor TT in Tirreno – Adriatico. Since then, he has found better legs. I think he will do a solid result but not good enough to win.

Evenepoel is the man to challenge Roglic. I think the route is a bit too stop-and-go for him. He is better on a longer, hilly effort. It will be close between him and Roglic.

Cavagna is back at it. A bit too hilly for the Frenchman.

Alaphilippe could go well on this course. Almost up or down all the time. I expect a good result from him.

Armirail looked good in Catalunya, but he caught the flu. We will have to see how he has recovered.

Martinez should look to get a few seconds on some of his rivals – a top 10 is expected.

Latour is having a very good year. I think he will do another great TT tomorrow.

Who will win?

I will be boring and take another win for Roglic.