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This year's Tour of the Basque Country has turned into the Joaquim Rodriguez and Sammy Sanchez show with the two riders taking the last four stages and the top GC spots. Big Photos from 2012 through the first five stages — flockton/reuters Big Photos from 2011 — flockton/reuters Route Map  |  Stages  |  Preview  |  News  |  Startlist  |  Live Coverage  |  TV  |  2011

1	Monday, April 2	153 km
	Gueñes → Gueñes
	profile | map | timetable | preview | results | photos | video
2	Tuesday, April 3	166 km
	Gueñes → Vitoria-Gasteiz
	profile | map | timetable | preview | results | photos | video
3	Wednesday, April 4	164 km
	Vitoria-Gasteiz → Eibar-Arrate
	profile | map | timetable | preview | results | photos | video
4	Thursday, April 5	151 km
	Eibar → Bera-Ibardin
	profile | map | timetable | preview | results | photos | video
5	Friday, April 6	183 km
	Bera → Oñati
	profile | map | timetable | preview | results | photos | video
6	Saturday, April 7	18.9 km
	Oñati → Oñati
	profile | map | timetable | preview | results | photos | video
Total Distance		836 km
copyright (c) 2005 - 2012 steephill.tv
2012 Itzulia Basque Country Teams Team Rosters and Withdrawals Group riders by: or RADIOSHACK-NISSAN (RNT) (LUX)   1 KLÖDEN  Andreas GER   2 SCHLECK  Frank LUX   3 HORNER  Christopher USA   4 ZAUGG  Oliver SUI   5 VOIGT  Jens GER   6 MONFORT  Maxime BEL   7 BUSCHE  Matthew USA   8 KING  Benjamin USA SKY PROCYCLING (SKY) (GBR)   11 ROGERS  Michael AUS   12 APPOLLONIO  Davide ITA   13 HENAO MONTOYA  Sergio Luis COL   14 LÖVKVIST  Thomas SWE   15 NORDHAUG  Lars Petter NOR   16 PUCCIO  Salvatore ITA   17 ROWE  Luke GBR   18 ZANDIO ECHAIDE  Xabier ESP MOVISTAR (MOV) (ESP)   21 ARROYO DURAN  David ESP   22 FARIA DA COSTA  Rui Alberto POR   23 ROJAS GIL  Jose Joaquin ESP   24 INTXAUSTI ELORRIAGA  Benat ESP   25 LOPEZ GARCIA  David ESP   26 KIRYIENKA  Vasili BLR   27 HERRADA LOPEZ  José ESP   28 MADRAZO RUIZ  Angel ESP VACANSOLEIL-DCM (VCD) (NED)   31 HOOGERLAND  Johnny NED   32 POELS  Wouter NED   33 CARRARA  Matteo ITA   34 DE GENDT  Thomas BEL   35 LAGUTIN  Sergey UZB   36 MARCZYNSKI  Tomasz POL   37 NOVIKOV  Nikita RUS   38 LIGTHART  Pim NED KATUSHA (KAT) (RUS)   41 RODRIGUEZ OLIVER  Joaquin ESP   42 MORENO FERNANDEZ  Daniel ESP   43 SPILAK  Simon SLO   44 CARUSO  Giampaolo ITA   45 VORGANOV  Eduard RUS   46 TROFIMOV  Yury RUS   47 VICIOSO ARCOS  Angel ESP   48 LOSADA ALGUACIL  Alberto ESP LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE (LIQ) (ITA)   51 SARMIENTO TUNARROSA  Cayetano José COL   52 RATTO  Daniele ITA   53 CARUSO  Damiano ITA   54 MOSER  Moreno ITA   55 AGOSTINI  Stefano ITA   56 DUGGAN  Timothy USA   57 NERZ  Dominik GER   58 PATERSKI  Maciej POL GREENEDGE (GEC) (AUS)   61 GERRANS  Simon AUS   62 DAVIS  Allan AUS   63 ALBASINI  Michael SUI   64 CLARKE  Simon AUS   65 IMPEY  Daryl RSA   66 MEIER  Christian CAN   67 SULZBERGER  Wesley AUS   68 WEENING  Pieter NED ASTANA (AST) (KAZ)   71 BRAJKOVIC  Janez SLO   72 KISERLOVSKI  Robert CRO   73 PETROV  Evgeny RUS   74 GASPAROTTO  Enrico ITA   75 KANGERT  Tanel EST   76 GAVAZZI  Francesco ITA   77 SILIN  Egor RUS   78 DYACHENKO  Alexsandr KAZ AG2R LA MONDIALE (ALM) (FRA)   81 NOCENTINI  Rinaldo ITA   82 PERAUD  Jean-Christophe FRA   83 BOUET  Maxime FRA   84 BONNAFOND  Guillaume FRA   85 DUPONT  Hubert FRA   86 GADRET  John FRA   87 GASTAUER  Ben LUX   88 RIBLON  Christophe FRA BMC RACING (BMC) (USA)   91 KOHLER  Martin SUI   92 PINOTTI  Marco ITA   93 ROE  Thimothy AUS   94 SANTAROMITA  Ivan ITA   95 SANTAMBROGIO  Mauro ITA   96 CUMMINGS  Stephen GBR   97 EIJSSEN  Yannick BEL   98 MOINARD  Amaël FRA FDJ-BIG MAT (FDJ) (FRA)   101 CASAR  Sandy FRA   102 JEANNESSON  Arnold FRA   103 PINEAU  Cédric FRA   104 PINOT  Thibaut FRA   105 ROUX  Anthony FRA   106 VEIKKANEN  Jussi FIN   107 VICHOT  Arthur FRA   108 VAUGRENARD  Benoît FRA LAMPRE - ISD (LAM) (ITA)   111 CUNEGO  Damiano ITA   112 SCARPONI  Michele ITA   113 POSSONI  Morris ITA   114 PIETROPOLLI  Daniele ITA   115 MALORI  Adriano ITA   116 NIEMIEC  Przemyslaw POL   117 STORTONI  Simone ITA   118 ULISSI  Diego ITA OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP (OPQ) (BEL)   121 MARTIN  Tony GER   122 VELITS  Martin SVK   123 PINEAU  Jérôme FRA   124 VANDEWALLE  Kristof BEL   125 VELITS  Peter SVK   126 VERMOTE  Julien BEL   127 DE WEERT  Kevin BEL   128 GOLAS  Michal POL LOTTO BELISOL (LTB) (BEL)   131 VAN DEN BROECK  Jurgen BEL   132 KAISEN  Olivier BEL   133 VAN DE WALLE  Jurgen BEL   134 DE GREEF  Francis BEL   135 VANENDERT  Jelle BEL   136 DE CLERCQ  Bart BEL   137 BULGAC  Brian NED   138 MEERSMAN  Gianni BEL RABOBANK (RAB) (NED)   141 GESINK  Robert NED   142 GARATE  Juan Manuel ESP   143 MOLLEMA  Bauke NED   144 KRUIJSWIJK  Steven NED   145 MARTENS  Paul GER   146 CLEMENT  Stef NED   147 MATTHEWS  Michael AUS   148 NIERMANN  Grischa GER GARMIN-BARRACUDA (GRM) (USA)   151 HAUSSLER  Heinrich AUS   152 MARTIN  Daniel IRL   153 DANIELSON  Thomas USA   154 HESJEDAL  Ryder CAN   155 HAAS  Nathan AUS   156 PETERSON  Thomas USA   157 STETINA  Peter USA   158 WEGMANN  Fabian GER SAXO BANK (SAX) (DEN)   161 PAULINHO  Sergio Miguel Moreira POR   162 NAVARRO GARCIA  Daniel ESP   163 SÖRENSEN  Nicki DEN   164 SÖRENSEN  Chris Anker DEN   165 VINTHER  Troels Ronning DEN   166 HERNANDEZ BLAZQUEZ  Jesus ESP   167 CHRISTENSEN  Mads DEN   168 PIRES  Bruno POR EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI (EUS) (ESP)   171 SANCHEZ GONZALEZ  Samuel ESP   172 ANTON HERNANDEZ  Igor ESP   173 IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI  Gorka ESP   174 ASTARLOZA CHAURREAU  Mikel ESP   175 MARTINEZ DE ESTEBAN  Egoi ESP   176 VERDUGO MARCOTEGUI  Gorka ESP   177 AZANZA SOTO  Jorge ESP   178 OROZ UGALDE  Juan Jose ESP CAJA RURAL (CJR) (ESP)   181 BRAVO OIARBIDE  Garikoitz ESP   182 BROCO  Hernani POR   183 GARCIA  Marcos ESP   184 CARDOSO  Andre Fernando S. Martins POR   185 SANCHEZ PIMIENTA  Julian ESP   186 GALDOS ALONSO  Aitor ESP   187 PIEDRA PEREZ  Antonio ESP   188 DE LA FUENTE RASILLA  David ESP UTENSILNORD NAMED (UNA) (IRL)   191 VILA ERRANDONEA  Patxi Javier ESP   192 BAGGIO  Filippo ITA   193 BAILETTI  Paolo ITA   194 BOSISIO  Gabriele ITA   195 BERDOS  Oleg MDA   196 ROCCHETTI  Frederico ITA   197 MUCELLI  Davide ITA   198 GIRARDI  Edoardo ITA   Printable Startlist

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News and Updates for Itzulia Basque Country 2012

24 Big Photos from Stage 6 — colinflockton

Stage 6 Results
1  SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)   28:48
2  MOLLEMA, Bauke (RABOBANK)                        + 0:06
3  MARTIN, Tony (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP)            + 0:07
4  PINOTTI, Marco (BMC RACING)                      + 0:15
5  CUNEGO, Damiano (LAMPRE - ISD)                   + 0:16
6  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA)              + 0:22
7  CLEMENT, Stef (RABOBANK)                         
8  MEYER, Travis (GREENEDGE)                        + 0:24
9  MOSER, Moreno (LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE)              + 0:28
10 PERAUD, Jean-Christophe (AG2R LA MONDIALE)       + 0:31
11 MONFORT, Maxime (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN)              + 0:32
12 BOUET, Maxime (AG2R LA MONDIALE)                 + 0:35
13 IMPEY, Daryl (GREENEDGE)                         + 0:37
14 NAVARRO GARCIA, Daniel (SAXO BANK)               
15 NORDHAUG, Lars Petter  (SKY PROCYCLING)          + 0:40
16 SPILAK, Simon (KATUSHA)                          + 0:47
17 GOLAS, Michal (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP)           + 0:48
18 DE CLERCQ, Bart (LOTTO BELISOL)                  

Final General Classification
1  SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)   20:58:15
2  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA)                + 0:12
3  MOLLEMA, Bauke (RABOBANK)                          + 0:42
4  CUNEGO, Damiano (LAMPRE - ISD)                     + 0:47
5  MARTIN, Tony (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP)              + 0:54
6  NORDHAUG, Lars Petter (SKY PROCYCLING)             + 1:03
7  PERAUD, Jean-Christophe (AG2R LA MONDIALE)         + 1:07
8  SCARPONI, Michele (LAMPRE - ISD)                   + 1:19
9  HORNER, Christopher (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN)            + 1:27
10 SPILAK, Simon (KATUSHA)                            + 1:29

Full/Official Stage 6 Results and Final General Classification — diariovasco
Sanchez scoops Vuelta al Pais Vasco win with blazing time trial — velonation
Sanchez wins Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco — cyclingnews
Samuel Sanchezek Itzulia eta erlojupekoa irabazi ditu Oñatin — eitb
Final Riders from the Stage 6 ITT (14:40 Basque) — eitb
Sammy Sanchez Stage 6 Highlights (02:40 English) — universalsports
Joaquim Rodriguez Stage 6 Highlights (03:12 English) — universalsports
Stage 6 ITT Highlights (01:43 English) — universalsports
24 Big Photos from Stage 6 — colinflockton

Stage 6 preview: Oñati → Oñati, 18.9 km (TT)

April 6 update: Stage 6 is a rolling ITT but not as hilly as previous years. Kudos for the race organizers for designing a stage race that ends in a ITT where the outcome is very much in doubt. Check out the top 18 on GC below to give you an idea of how wide open this race still is. See the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable. — Steve
Stage 6 ITT Start Order and Times (CET, subtract 6 hrs for ET) — biciciclismo

Stage 6 start time: Saturday 14:28 CET (12:28:00 PM GMT+0000); Weather for Oñati, Spain
Earliest live video: 16:00 CET (2:00:00 PM GMT+0000); Live/delayed coverage options
Approximate finish: 17:15 CET (3:15:00 PM GMT+0000); Weather for Oñati, Spain

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Stage 5 results: Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) wins a duel against Sammy Sanchez after a tough, miserable stage

29 Big Photos from Stage 5 (more photos added) — colinflockton/reuters

Stage 5 Results
1  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA)              4:27:16
2  SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)   
3  KISERLOVSKI, Robert (ASTANA)                     
4  KIRYIENKA, Vasili (MOVISTAR)                      + 0:05
5  NORDHAUG, Lars Petter (SKY PROCYCLING)           
6  RATTO, Daniele (LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE)             
7  SCARPONI, Michele (LAMPRE - ISD)                  + 0:07
8  CUNEGO, Damiano (LAMPRE - ISD)                   
9  FARIA DA COSTA, Rui Alberto (MOVISTAR)           
10 PERAUD, Jean-Christophe (AG2R LA MONDIALE)       
11 VAN DEN BROECK, Jurgen (LOTTO BELISOL)           
12 RIBLON, Christophe (AG2R LA MONDIALE)            
13 HENAO MONTOYA, Sergio Luis (SKY PROCYCLING)       + 0:10
14 DANIELSON, Thomas (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)             
15 HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)                + 0:12
16 MOLLEMA, Bauke (RABOBANK)                        
17 ZAUGG, Oliver (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN)                 + 0:23
18 POELS, Wouter (VACANSOLEIL-DCM)                  

General Classification after Stage 5
1  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA)              20:29:18
2  SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)     + 0:09
3  KISERLOVSKI, Robert (ASTANA)                       + 0:26
4  NORDHAUG, Lars Petter (SKY PROCYCLING)             + 0:33
5  SCARPONI, Michele (LAMPRE - ISD)                 
6  HENAO MONTOYA, Sergio Luis (SKY PROCYCLING)        + 0:34
7  VAN DEN BROECK, Jurgen (LOTTO BELISOL)             + 0:35
8  HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)                 + 0:40
9  CUNEGO, Damiano (LAMPRE - ISD)                   
10 HORNER, Christopher (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN)            + 0:44
11 MOLLEMA, Bauke (RABOBANK)                          + 0:45
12 PERAUD, Jean-Christophe (AG2R LA MONDIALE)       
13 KIRYIENKA, Vasili (MOVISTAR)                       + 0:50
14 POELS, Wouter (VACANSOLEIL-DCM)                    + 0:51
15 SPILAK, Simon (KATUSHA)                          
16 FARIA DA COSTA, Rui Alberto  (MOVISTAR)            + 0:52
17 MARTIN, Tony (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP)              + 0:56
18 DANIELSON, Thomas (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)               + 1:11

Rodriguez powers to stage 5 win — cyclingnews
Second win for Rodriguez, who holds lead — velonation
Joaquim Rodríguez vuelve a ganar por delante de Samuel Sánchez — eitb
Last 7 Km of Stage 5 (13:04 Basque) — eitb
Stage 5 Highlights (04:33 English) — universalsports
Last Km of Stage 5 (01:52 Basque) — eitb
29 Big Photos from Stage 5 (more photos added) — colinflockton/reuters

Stage 5 preview: Bera → Oñati, 183 km (hilly)

April 6 update: A mix of cat 3 and cat 2 climbs before the flat short uphill then flat finish in Oñati. Rain is forecasted. See the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable. — Steve

Stage 5 start time: Friday 12:35 CET (10:35:00 AM GMT+0000); Weather for Bera, Spain
Earliest live video: 15:15 CET (1:15:00 PM GMT+0000); Live/delayed coverage options
Approximate finish: 17:14 CET (3:14:00 PM GMT+0000); Weather for Oñati, Spain

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Stage 4 results: As expected, Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) wins the 18% finish on Alto de Ibardin and becomes the new race leader

33 Big Photos from Stage 4 — colinflockton

Stage 4 Results
1  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA)              3:55:56
2  SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)    + 0:09
3  HENAO MONTOYA, Sergio Luis (SKY PROCYCLING)       + 0:12
4  KISERLOVSKI, Robert (ASTANA)                     
5  NORDHAUG, Lars Petter (SKY PROCYCLING)            + 0:16
6  SCARPONI, Michele (LAMPRE - ISD)                 
7  VAN DEN BROECK, Jurgen (LOTTO BELISOL)            + 0:17
8  POELS, Wouter (VACANSOLEIL-DCM)                  
9  SPILAK, Simon (KATUSHA)                          
10 HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)               
11 NAVARRO GARCIA, Daniel (SAXO BANK)               
12 CUNEGO, Damiano (LAMPRE - ISD)                    + 0:21
13 MARTIN, Tony (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP)            
14 HORNER, Christopher (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN)          
15 MOLLEMA, Bauke (RABOBANK)                        
16 MORENO FERNANDEZ, Daniel (KATUSHA)                + 0:26
17 RIBLON, Christophe (AG2R LA MONDIALE)             + 0:27
18 DANIELSON, Thomas (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)             
19 DUPONT, Hubert (AG2R LA MONDIALE)                
20 PERAUD, Jean-Christophe (AG2R LA MONDIALE)       

General Classification after Stage 4
1  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA)              16:02:02
2  SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)     + 0:09
3  HORNER, Christopher (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN)            + 0:21
4  KISERLOVSKI, Robert (ASTANA)                       + 0:24
5  HENAO MONTOYA, Sergio Luis (SKY PROCYCLING)      
6  HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)                 + 0:28
7  POELS, Wouter (VACANSOLEIL-DCM)                  
8  VAN DEN BROECK, Jurgen (LOTTO BELISOL)           
9  NORDHAUG, Lars Petter (SKY PROCYCLING)           
10 SCARPONI, Michele (LAMPRE - ISD)                 
11 SPILAK, Simon (KATUSHA)                          
12 CUNEGO, Damiano (LAMPRE - ISD)                     + 0:33
13 MARTIN, Tony (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP)            
14 MOLLEMA, Bauke (RABOBANK)                        

Full/Official Stage 4 Results and General Classification — diariovasco
Rodriguez wins steep uphill battle to take stage 4 victory — cyclingnews
Joaquim Rodríguez gana en Ibardin y se enfunda el maillot de líder — eitb
Joaquim Rodriguez solos to Pais Vasco stage win and race lead — velonation
Last Km of Stage 4 (01:58 Basque) — eitb
Last 5 Km of Stage 4 (13:55 Basque) — eitb
Stage 4 Highlights (04:04 English) — universalsports
Winner's interview after Stage 4 (06:44 Spanish) — eitb
Chris Horner talks Tour of the Basque Country, being a pro, his riding style, his scariest moment on the bike (05:16 English) — RadioshackNissanTrek
33 Big Photos from Stage 4 — colinflockton
Only one dream left for Sanchez after Basque Country victory — cyclingnews

Stage 4 preview: Eibar → Bera-Ibardin, 151 km (hilly/uphill finish)

April 5 update: Stage 4 is a hilly stage that ends with category 1 uphill finish (max 18%) which Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez should win and don the race leader's jersey. The finishing Ibardin climb is actually done twice although the first pass is listed as a cat 2 since a steep section has been added for the finish. See the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable. — Steve

Stage 4 start time: Thursday 13:25 CET (11:25:00 AM GMT+0000); Weather for Eibar, Spain
Earliest live video: 15:15 CET (1:15:00 PM GMT+0000); Live/delayed coverage options
Approximate finish: 17:30 CET (3:30:00 PM GMT+0000); Weather for Bera-Ibardin, Spain

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Stage 3 results: Sammy Sanchez wins for the third straight year in Eibar-Arrate

18 Big Photos from Stage 3 — colinflockton

Stage 3 Results
1  SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)   3:58:15
2  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA)              
3  HORNER, Christopher (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN)          
4  MOLLEMA, Bauke (RABOBANK)                         + 0:12
5  CUNEGO, Damiano (LAMPRE - ISD)                   
6  MARTIN, Tony (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP)            
7  SCARPONI, Michele (LAMPRE - ISD)                 
8  HENAO MONTOYA, Sergio Luis (SKY PROCYCLING)      
9  KISERLOVSKI, Robert (ASTANA)                     
10 NORDHAUG, Lars Petter (SKY PROCYCLING)           
11 MORENO FERNANDEZ, Daniel (KATUSHA)               
12 SPILAK, Simon (KATUSHA)                          
13 Alberto FARIA DA COSTA, Rui (MOVISTAR)           
14 DUPONT, Hubert (AG2R LA MONDIALE)                
15 POELS, Wouter (VACANSOLEIL-DCM)                  
16 HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)               
17 KIRYIENKA, Vasili (MOVISTAR)                     
18 PERAUD, Jean-Christophe (AG2R LA MONDIALE)       
19 VAN DEN BROECK, Jurgen (LOTTO BELISOL)           
20 LOPEZ GARCIA, David (MOVISTAR)                   
21 DANIELSON, Thomas (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)              + 0:35
22 PINOTTI, Marco (BMC RACING)                       + 0:50
23 RIBLON, Christophe (AG2R LA MONDIALE)            
24 NAVARRO GARCIA, Daniel (SAXO BANK)               

General Classification after Stage 3
1  SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Samuel (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)   12:06:06
2  HORNER, Christopher (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN)            + 0:00
3  RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA)              
4  HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)                 + 0:12
5  POELS, Wouter (VACANSOLEIL-DCM)                  
6  CUNEGO, Damiano (LAMPRE - ISD)                   
7  KIRYIENKA, Vasili (MOVISTAR)                     
8  VAN DEN BROECK, Jurgen (LOTTO BELISOL)           
9  KISERLOVSKI, Robert (ASTANA)                     
10 MARTIN, Tony (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP)            

Full/Official Stage 3 Results and General Classification — diariovasco
Sanchez holds off Rodriguez and Horner for stage 3 win — cyclingnews
Sanchez sprints to victory on mountainous third stage — velonation
Samuel Sánchez gana la etapa reina y es el nuevo líder — eitb
Sánchez scores hat trick at Arrate; Horner in contention at Basque Country — velonews
Last Kms of Stage 3 (02:09 Basque) — eitb
18 Big Photos from Stage 3 — colinflockton
Stage 3 Highlights (04:01 English) — universalsports
More Stage 3 Photos — biciciclismo
 Brief Stage 3 Highlights — rtve.es
Sammy Sanchez Stage 3 winner's interview (01:45 Spanish) — eitb

Stage 3 preview: Vitoria-Gasteiz → Eibar-Arrate, 164 km (Mountain)

April 3 update: The Queen Stage, like in previous editions of this race, will finish in Eibar, one of the major industrial cities in the Basque country. This is always a brutal stage regardless of where it starts, Vitoria-Gasteiz this year. There are seven catgorized climbs ending with the usual Alto de Ixua, Alto de San Miguel and Alto de Usartza combination before a short, twisty descent finish which appears to have been shortened from 2.5 km to 1.5 km this year. Sammy Sanchez has won this stage the last two years (see banner photo at the top of the page). See the race summary table (right) for the stage profile, map and timetable. — Steve

Last three of the seven categorized climbs:
Km. 135 Alto de Ixua (cat 1) 4,8 kms, avg 8,44%
Km. 145 Alto de San Miguel (cat 2) 4,8 kms, avg 5,63%
Km. 164 Alto de Usartza (cat 1) 5,8 kms, avg 8,44%

Stage 3 start time: Wednesday 13:05 CET (11:05:00 AM GMT+0000); Weather for Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Earliest live video: 15:15 CET (1:15:00 PM GMT+0000); Live/delayed coverage options
Approximate finish: 17:16 CET (3:16:00 PM GMT+0000); Weather for Eibar-Arrate, Spain

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Stage 2 results: Daryl Impey (GreenEdge) rides off the front of the peloton with 1 km to go and holds on for the win

12 Big Photos of the finish and podium from Stage 2 — colinflockton

Stage 2 Results
1  IMPEY, Daryl (GREENEDGE)               4:10:07
2  DAVIS, Allan (GREENEDGE)               
3  APPOLLONIO, Davide (SKY PROCYCLING)    
4  ROJAS GIL, Jose Joaquin (MOVISTAR)     
5  MATTHEWS, Michael (RABOBANK)           
6  RATTO, Daniele (LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE)   
7  GAVAZZI, Francesco (ASTANA)            
8  WEGMANN, Fabian (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)     
9  MEERSMAN, Gianni (LOTTO BELISOL)       
10 PIETROPOLLI, Daniele (LAMPRE - ISD)    

General Classification after Stage 2
1  ROJAS GIL, Jose Joaquin (MOVISTAR)     8:07:51
2  RATTO, Daniele (LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE)    + 0:00
3  WEGMANN, Fabian (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)     

Full/Official Stage 2 Results and General Classification — diariovasco
Impey holds off peloton for stage 2 win after last lap flier — cyclingnews
Impey attacks to take Pais Vasco stage two — cyclingweekly.co.uk
Daryl Impey takes Vuelta a Pais Vasco stage two with final kilometre attack — velonation
Impey roba la cartera a los esprinters en Vitoria — eitb
Final Kms of Stage 2 (07:33 Basque) — eitb
Last Km of Stage 2 (02:49 Basque) — eitb
12 Big Photos of the finish and podium from Stage 2 — colinflockton
Stage 2 Highlights (03:46 English) — universalsports
More Stage 2 Photos — diariovasco
More Stage 2 Photos — biciciclismo

Stage 2 preview: Gueñes → Vitoria-Gasteiz, 166 km (bumpy)

Stage 2 is also a bumpy stage with a bunch of cat 3 climbs before a descending then flat finish. Rain is forecasted. For more stage details, see the stage profile, map and timetable in the race summary table (right). — Steve

Stage 2 start time: Tuesday 13:05 CET (11:05:00 AM GMT+0000); Weather for Gueñes, Spain
Earliest live video: 15:30 CET (1:30:00 PM GMT+0000); Live/delayed coverage options
Approximate finish: 17:18 CET (3:18:00 PM GMT+0000); Weather for Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

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Stage 1 results: Joaquin Rojas (Movistar) squeezes through for the win in Gueñes

1 Big Photos of the finish from Stage 1 — reuters

Stage 1 Results
1  ROJAS GIL,  Jose Joaquin (MOVISTAR)               3:57:44
2  POELS, Wouter (VACANSOLEIL-DCM)                   
3  WEGMANN, Fabian (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)                
4  VICHOT, Arthur (FDJ-BIG MAT)                      
5  RATTO, Daniele (LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE)              
6  HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)                
7  MEERSMAN, Gianni (LOTTO BELISOL)                  
8  IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, Gorka (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)   
9  GAVAZZI, Francesco (ASTANA)                       
10 BAILETTI, Paolo (UTENSILNORD NAMED)               

General Classification after Stage 1
1  ROJAS GIL, Jose Joaquin (MOVISTAR)                3:57:44
2  POELS, Wouter (VACANSOLEIL-DCM)                    + 0:00
3  WEGMANN, Fabian (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)                
4  RATTO, Daniele (LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE)              
5  VICHOT, Arthur (FDJ-BIG MAT)                      
6  HESJEDAL, Ryder (GARMIN-BARRACUDA)                
7  MEERSMAN, Gianni (LOTTO BELISOL)                  
8  IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, Gorka (EUSKALTEL - EUSKADI)   
9  GAVAZZI, Francesco (ASTANA)                       
10 BAILETTI, Paolo (UTENSILNORD NAMED)               

Spanish champion Rojas wins opening stage — velonation
Rojas wins stage 1 at Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco — cyclingnews
Final Kms of Stage 1 (08:08 Basque) — eitb
Stage 1 Highlights (03:48 English) — universalsports
Stage 1 crash on the final hill (01:08 English) — universalsports
Stage 1 crash on the final hill (01:08 Basque) — eitb
Last Km of Stage 1 (02:04 Basque) — eitb
Stage 1 Photos — biciciclismo
1 Big Photos of the finish from Stage 1 — reuters

Stage 1 preview: Gueñes → Gueñes, 153 km (bumpy)

A bumpy stage that should end in a sprint finish although in 2009 Michael Albasini, the recent Volta a Cataluyna winner, won in Gueñes from a three man break (photo above). The former Highroad now GreenEdge rider is on the startlist again this year. For more stage details, see the stage profile, map and timetable in the race summary table (right). — Steve

Stage 1 start time: Monday 13:20 CET (11:20:00 AM GMT+0000); Weather for Gueñes, Spain
Earliest live video: 15:30 CET (1:30:00 PM GMT+0000); Live/delayed coverage options
Approximate finish: 17:25 CET (3:25:00 PM GMT+0000); Weather for Gueñes, Spain

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2012 Tour of the Basque Country Preview

April 1 update:
Vuelta al País Vasco is sacred to cycling fans in Spain’s Basque Country (Race Preview) — velonews
Official 2012 startlist now posted — steephill
Leipheimer hit by car, out of Vuelta al Pais Vasco — velonation

March 14 update: The 2012 route was officially announced last week after the event was rescued from threatened cancellation due to lack of funding which has been resolved. Stage hosts, profiles and timetables for all stages are now posted. See the race summary table (right). As usual a strong field is expected.

Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco is a stage race held in the Basque Country, a cultural region shared between France and Spain, at the same time the classics are happening in northern Europe, giving riders (mainly climbers) an alternative to the cobbles and cold weather.

Known as the Tour of the Basque Country in English and Euskal Herriko Txirrindulari Itzulia in Basque, the six-day race was first held in 1935, while the modern version of the race took place for the first time in 1969. The race is now organised by the leading Basque newspaper Diario Vasco (official site) which holds a UCI ProTour licence through to 2012. This year's event runs from Monday, April 2th through Saturday, April 7th — Steve

March 6 update:
Basque races rescued by Spanish bank — cyclingnews
Basque Country tour and Clásica saved by final-hour sponsor — velonews

February 17 update:
2012 Vuelta al Paîs Vasco looks to continue tradition of tough racing (from Nov 2011) — velonews

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Also follow steephill on Twitter for the latest race info and video updates.

En Directo: Live Video Streaming and TV Coverage

April 5 update: Your 2012 Tour of the Basque Country live coverage options for North America and elsewhere. Check back at race time for the latest live links. Feel free to send in additional sources for live video or tv coverage as they become known. — Steve

media source	tv or internet	comments/restrictions
	live video (spanish)   tv schedule	Basque, restricted to Europe; the earliest daily broadcast at 15:15 CET (16:00 on Saturday for the final stage).
	live video (italian)    live video (italian)    live video (italian)   tv schedule	Italian;
	live video (catalan)   tv schedule
	live video (french)    live video (french)   tv schedule	France and Europe satellites; Tour du Pays Basque live each day at 15:45 CEST with rebroadcasts.
	delayed video (spanish)   tv schedule	Spanish; Teledeporte feed; Delayed video for stage 1 at 17:45 CET and 01:00.
	live video ($)   tv schedule (see comments)	North America only; Live coverage every day at 10-11:30AM ET
	live text updates	Official text updates in Spanish and ticker (Google English Translation)
	live text updates ES live text updates EN	The Spanish website Biciciclismo will also has the latest race updates
	steephill text updates	short text updates from any and everyone
check back at race time for more and updated links; send a comment or a new live link

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2012 Vuelta al Paîs Vasco Route Map

Not available yet? Let me know if you see one. — Steve

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