To know about the Tour of the Basque Country it is worth going back almost a hundred years, although not by its current name, but as the Excelsior Grand Prix, the germ of what today is one of the most important races in the world.
Since then, with some gaps in its history, with a road shared with the well-known Bicicleta Eibarresa, in honor of the industry linked to two wheels in the city of Gipuzkoa, and with the best riders in the competition, the Itzulia Basque Country is one of the most coveted titles of the cycling spring.
Its prized txapela was worn for the first time in 1924 on the head of the mythical Frenchman Francis Pélissier, before beginning a cycle of great names, with Tour winners such as Luxembourg's Nicolas Frantz. Among those editions, we remember the great comeback of Mariano Cañardo against Antonin Magne in 1930. The Navarrese rider, who had been honed in Barcelona, would be followed by a Giro Bartali, five years later, marking the circle of interruptions that the race experienced during several periods.
In fact, it would not reach a certain stability until 1969 when Jacques Anquetil wanted to make a comeback accompanied by Patxi Gabica and Mariano Díaz on the podium. That was the beginning of the golden cycle, a string of names that included Luis Ocaña, Gianbattista Baronchelli, Miguel Mari Lasa, Alberto Fernández, José Luis Laguía and Julián Gorospe.
Nobody, therefore, like José Antonio González Linares, a four-time winner in the seventies, as many times as the ambassador of GobikAlberto Contador, in the new century. Between them, two other greats of the race grew up: Sean Kelly and Tony Rominger. In a context in which the best in the world have come to the event, the success of Ion Izagirre, two years ago, was the last on the list.
Gobik in the race
Last year Gobik should have dressed the leaders of a Itzulia which did not take place because of the pandemic, however, this time it will be possible. "This agreement already comes from last year that, for the reasons we already know, the Itzulia Basque Country could not be held," says Gino Dona, Brand Manager of the Basque Country Gobik.
Regarding this agreement, Julián Eraso, president of OCETA (Association of Cycling Organizations of the Basque Country), adds that "we were attracted from the beginning by the proposal of Gobik as a partner in this adventure," he says. We have good references of their presence in other races and their project seems attractive to us".
For Gino Dona, this project "we are approaching it with the aim of adding, not remaining as a mere supplier. We want to show that we are close and provide solutions, even in this first time, with all that this implies". "During this time they have been proactive, they have shown they have the guts," adds Eraso.
Another small step, another one, from Gobik in the cycling peloton at the highest level.. The Itzulia Basque Country, the Tour of the Basque Country, will wear the skin of the Gobik on its leaders in the icing on the cake of the great week of Basque cycling. A step that adds to the Volta to Catalunya and the tours of Valencia and Burgos in the commitment of Gobik for cycling at the highest level.
Hand in hand with KAS...
The game of jerseys from Gobik for the Itzulia Basque Country 2021 includes up to five designs, highlighting the yellow for the winner, but also including the mountain -red-, regularity -green-, young -blue- and a very special one, the best Euskaldun, on which an edition has also been completed in white, but without yellow tones, in collaboration with KAS.
This edition has been made on one of the most emblematic models of Gobikthe "CX PROThe edition is based on one of the company's most emblematic models, the "Y", a highly breathable, lightweight and adjustable garment. on sale from March 30on the website of Gobik as well as at authorized points of sale.
"For us, returning to the Tour of the Basque Country means reconnecting with something as much ours as cycling in the north. And to do so, furthermore, with the creation of an exclusive jersey KAS makes it an even more exciting milestone. Thanks to the collaboration with Gobikwe will have the garment that best embodies our passion for cycling for the Best Euskaldún to wear," adds Natalia Suazo, Beverage Category Director for Southwest Europe.
CX PRO BEST EUSKALDÚN Itzulia 2021
Texts: JoanSeguidor's Notebook
Photos: Itzulia
