GENERATION TEAM LINES UP FOR DURANGO-DURANGO

Not ones to miss out on the action, the CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto Generation team heads to the Basque Country for Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria, an exciting one-day race nestled between the WorldTour events of Itzulia and Burgos.

Diane Ingabire, Maddie le Roux, Jule Märkl, Florence Nakagwa, Awen Roberts, and Emily Dixon will take on the 111 kilometre course through the hilly surroundings of Durango.

The route remains unchanged from the past four years, with only minor tweaks before that – why change a good thing? The race is split into two parts: the first 77km consist of four laps on a fast, often hectic circuit, featuring largely industrial and urban roads. Each lap includes a gradual yet fiercely contested QOM point, followed by a quick descent – key moments for early breaks or pre-selections.

After this opening phase, the race moves into the hills that shadow the unassuming Basque town. While the total climbing is moderate at 1534m, the way it’s spread out means the race usually favours climbers – unless a very strong and daring rider can build a sizeable lead before the final 35km…

Three crucial climbs define the race, with the last two forming a final lap of sorts. The Alto de Goiuria is climbed twice, but from two very different approaches. Both ascents are followed by the same technical descent, negotiated at 16km and then 6km to-go. Each approach is nearly 5km long, but the second features two brutal sections – 1.1km at 10.5%, followed shortly by 0.8km at 11.8%. At its steepest, pitches exceed 17% – truly eye-watering, leg-halting gradients.

On the first Alto de Goiuria and its descent, the lead group is usually thinned out significantly. From there, it becomes an honest battle, woman against woman, on the gruelling second ascent. Small groups may briefly reform on the short plateau at the top, and less confident riders also risk losing position on the fast, twisting descent. Typically, the front contenders fly into the finishing streets of Durango solo or in pairs, propelled by adrenaline and the thrill of a downhill run to the line.

Durango-Durango is a race where the pressure never eases and full focus is essential from start to finish. Unpredictable and volatile Basque weather can make it even more memorable.

Durango Durango Emakumeen Saria | UCI 1.1 | Tuesday May 20  | 111.2km | 1533m elevation | Start 15:00 CET – fastest finish 17:49 CET.

Live coverage starts here at 16:10 CET on the SportPublic TV YouTube channel. Stay updated on X and Instagram with #DurangoDurango2025, and follow CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto on social channels for the latest from the team.