ALTSASU, SPAIN – APRIL 03: (L-R) Tom Paquot of Belgium and Team Intermarche – Wanty and Alan Jousseaume of France and Team TotalEnergies compete in the breakaway during the 63rd Itzulia Basque Country 2024, Stage 3 a 190.9km stage from Ezpeleta to Altsasu 526m / #UCIWT / on April 03, 2024 in Altsasu, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
The rollout for stage 3, Itzulia Basque Country’s longest stage, is due at 12.43 local time and riders are heading through the neutralised section now.
Two non-starters reported: David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) and Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease A Bike). Gaudu is a former stage winner in Itzulia in 2021 on Mount Arrate, the day current leader Primoz Roglic (Bora-Hansgrohe) blew the race apart, and finished fourth last year, so was definitely a GC contender. He’s apparently suffered a hand injury when one of the many riders who were affected by crashes on stage 2’s chaotic finale.
After a long neutralisation (11 kilometres) on what is already the longest day in the saddle, racing will be getting underway shortly and it will do so with a Cat2 climb in the first 10 kilometres.
Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Prior to joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly, Rouleur, and CyclingTips.
Dani has reported from the world’s top races, including the Tour de France and the spring Classics, and has interviewed many of the sport’s biggest stars, including Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and Anna van der Breggen.
As well as original reporting, news and feature writing, and production work, Dani also oversees The Leadout newsletter and How to Watch guides throughout the season. Their favourite races are Strade Bianche and the Volta a Portugal.
