Tomorrow the Spanish Basque Country will be the setting for the 34th edition of the Clasica San Sebastian, the first one day WorldTour race after the Tour. The Tour riders who left Paris with a good shape could aim for a good result, on the other hand could the riders of the fall season show themselves for the first time.

Tony Gallopin was last year's winner. That time still riding for Radio Shack, he left among others Kreuziger and Valverde behind, where after he could put on the txapela headgear as a winner. This year Tony Gallopin is again at the starting grid, but of course in the Lotto Belisol selection.

There is nothing changed from the traditional climbs. The Jaizkibel and the Arkale have to be covered both two times. But with the Bordako Tontorra, a 2.5 kilometer climb with an average gradient of 9 % and which the top is about 7 kilometers from the finish line, the final will have even more suspense.

Kurt Van de Wouwer, sports director of Lotto-Belisol, says his rider Tony Gallopin must be counted as one of the favourites after his win from last year.

"As he's [Tony is] the last year's winner and after his strong performance in the Tour de France he is one of the favourites. Jelle Vanendert will get a free role and will be protected. The race situation will show if he could go for his own chances. Jelle should be good enough for a top ten spot. We will start with a rather young team in San Sebastian. It is most important that the young selection gains some experience and get feeling with the roads. The younger riders can work for the more experienced Vandendert and Gallopin."

He predicts the favourites to wait with their moves to the second climb of Jaizkibel. According to Van de Wouwer it is going to be a crucial point in the race.

"The course also suits the capabilities of Tim Wellens. After his performance in the Tour de Wallonie, I expect him to be good on Saturday too. In the final he should be certainly accompanying Gallopin and Vanendert. The favourites will wait for the second climb of the Jaizkibel, which will be a crucial point. As usual there will be a lot of riders in the front who rode the tour. And of course the Spanish riders are extra motivated for the race in their motherland."
 

The Lotto Belisol squad for Clasica San Sebastian:
Stig Broeckx, Sean De Bie, Tony Gallopin, Tosh Van der Sande, Dennis Vanendert, Jelle Vanendert, Louis Vervaeke, Tim Wellens.