CANYON//SRAM Racing continues in May with the second of three Spanish stage races. The team will start the third edition of the Itzulia Women on Friday, 10 May. The roster is Ricarda Bauernfeind, fresh off her sixth place overall at La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour es, alongside Elise Chabbey, Justyna Czapla and Agnieszka Skalniak-Sójka. 

The opening stage, with smaller category two and three climbs, offers a chance for a small group sprint, but the following two stages will be the most decisive for the overall classification.

RIDER QUOTES

Elise Chabbey: “I recovered well from the Ardennes. I felt quite good after the classics and as I continued with training I could do a nice block to get ready for the next part of the season. I raced Itzulia Women two years ago and I really like the course. It’s hilly without too many long climbs so it can suit me quite well. I think stage two is the hardest on paper and this is where we need to be sharp and be ready to hurt.”

Ricarda Bauernfeind: “I’ve recovered from La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour es. I had some nice and easy days and enjoyed riding the bike in the sun. Now I have my team mates back and we are ready for Itzulia.

The three stages don’t have very long climbs like in La Vuelta but for sure it’ll be a hard stage race because on Saturday and Sunday the climbs are steep. These short, sharp climbs are a parcours that suits Elise perfectly. My favourite stage is probably going to be the last one with the most elevation. In the first half is a longer climb and in the second one a steep one again. For our team it’s a race with mixed terrain and we have different cards to play.”

HOW TO WATCH

Stage 1 | 10 May | Vitoria Gasteiz – Elgoibar | 140km | Start 9:31CEST | Broadcast 12:00CEST.

Stage 2 | 11 May | Basauri – Basauri | 104km | Start 10:45CEST | Broadcast 12:00CEST.

Stage 3 | 12 May | Donostia San Sebastian | 114.9km | Start 10:02 | Broadcast 12:00CEST.

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