The organizers of the Vuelta al País Vasco-Euskal Herriko Itzulia (April 6-11) have provided more details about the course and have now announced the more than 30 climbs that will feature in the race. The ascents include a double passage of El Vivero on the first day in Bilbao, Orduna in stage two, La Antigua in the third stage, the traditional finish in Arrate on stage four and the wall in Aia in the final two stages which includes the final time trial.

El Vivero will decide the first stage that starts and finishes in Bilbao as the second passage comes just 18km from the line. Orduna will be the first challenge on day two but the course will become easier as we get closer to the finish in Vitoria-Gasteiz. An undulating profile greets the riders on the third stage which includes two times up the Antigua climb, with the final passage coming just 3km from the finish. It is a short, steep 800m ascent with an average gradient of 16% and sections of more than 20%.

As usual, the Sanctuary of Arrate will be the finish on the fourth day that also includes the climbs of Udana, Asentzio, Karabieta-Elgeta, Ixua and San Miguel. The race will be decided on the Aia climb, a wall of nearly a kilometre and with an average gradient of 14.4% and ramps that reach 25%.

Stage 1: Bilbao - Bilbao, 167km. Departure: 13:15 / Arrival: 17:15

Alto El Vivero (km 117 and 149)

Stage 2: Bilbao - Vitoria-Gasteiz, 175.4km. Departure: 12:45 / Arrival: 17:15

Orduna, Añana, San Martin Zar, Zaldiarán, Vitoria and Zaldiarán (9 km from the finish)

Stage 3: Vitoria-Gasteiz - Zumarraga, 170.7km. Departure: 12:50 / Arrival: 17:12

Azazeta, Urbasa, Lizarrusti, Urkillaga, Olaberria, Gabiria, Eizaga, Sanctuary of Antigua, Atagoiti, Gabiria, Eizaga, Alto de la Antigua (3 km from the finish)

Stage 4: Zumarraga - Arrate (Eibar), 162km. Departure: 13:10 / Arrival: 17:13

Udana, Asentzio, Karabieta-Elgeta, Ixua, San Miguel, Usartza

Stage 5: Eibar - Aia, 155km. Departure: 13:15 / Arrival: 17:13

Kalbario, Meredith, Garate, Urraki, Alkiza, Aia (3 passages)

Stage 6: Aia - Aia, 18.3km ITT. First rider: 14:50 / Arrival of last rider: 17:12

Aia (two passages)

In 2014, Alberto Contador beat Michal Kwiatkowski and Jean-Christophe Péraud and repeated his triumphs of 2008 and 2009; Nairo Quintana (2013), Samuel Sanchez (2012), Andreas Kloden (2011) and Chris Horner (2010) are the other recent winners.