Our recognition of the Orbea Klasika Bilbao Bizkaia

The Orbea Klasika Bilbao Bizkaia is an event that falls between cyclotourism and sportive cycling, taking place on the weekend of May 21/22, 2022, starting from Bilbao in the Spanish Basque Country, less than an hour and a half from the border. This will be the 2^nd edition, after the cancellation of the last two years for health reasons.

Text: Olivier Dulaurent – Photos and video: Orbea

https://vimeo.com/663291902/67e193029

Organized by the bike brand that gives its name to the event and supported by the city council, there is no doubt that cyclists will be amazed in a friendly atmosphere, as only three timed sections (uphill) will be offered, thus avoiding any stress related to the conditions of a real race.

Another stress avoided: at the reception, people who speak French in a dedicated line. This is an important point as the French are not known for easily crossing borders, often due to language issues.

Thus, it is easy to imagine riding safely through the beautiful landscapes of the course, with friends, while testing yourself on the three climbs and enjoying the aid stations.

For those who love numbers, the traced course covers 138 km with 2900 m of elevation gain. But while these figures are similar to what can be found in the mountains, the distribution of ascents is quite different: here, it is more like a real roller coaster where flat sections are rare. Conversely, the ascents are never very long but sometimes steep (up to 20% on short sections) and always “leg-breaking”.

The organization as a whole is pulling out all the stops to ensure that race day runs as smoothly as possible: although the 2000 expected participants will have to respect the highway code, 150 marshals will be stationed on the course, not to mention motorcycles and police, 10 technical assistance cars, and five other cars ready to ensure the smooth running of the event.

Among the other assets of the organization are four aid stations, not counting the finish meal, with typical Basque specialties. A well-designed jersey will also be offered to all participants.

Regarding the course itself, within the organizing team, long discussions were held on the best way to exit Bilbao. Indeed, while the city alone is worth a visit during the stay, and although the expected traffic on Sunday morning will be rather calm, Bilbao’s very location requires some “tricks” to get onto quiet roads as quickly as possible. It must also be said that the agglomeration is typical of the area, and to get out, there is no other choice but to climb. But once these few kilometers are completed, the entire course will be on quiet, often narrow and winding roads.

The first feeling that comes to mind after completing the course is: fun. Indeed, due to its characteristics (winding, narrow, hilly, scenic), there will be plenty to enjoy in riding the bike over the 138 km offered.

What will also surprise is the diversity: that of the landscapes and colors (from the green of the many forests crossed to the blue of the ocean and the spectacular passage through the Urdabai biosphere reserve), that of the roads punctuated by some concrete sections that will not disorient Belgian cyclists, that of the slopes too (generally irregular) which will require the use of climbing gears despite the reasonable length of the climbs (the longest not exceeding 8 km).

Bilbao, its surroundings and its gastronomy

Biscay (Bizkaia in Basque language), which is one of the 7 provinces of the Basque Country, is a territory where Orbea is fully established: the factory and offices are located there. The area has everything to offer a pleasant stay, between the landscapes crossed by cyclists during the Klasika, the architecture of typical houses, and Bilbao’s city center, which has placed its futuristic Guggenheim Museum around its historic and flamboyant buildings. The typical gastronomy also deserves attention, although it will be preferable to save it for “after the race” given its caloric richness. The famous Chuletón (rib of beef) is prominently featured.

Bilbao will host the Grand Départ of the Tour 2023 and the first two stages will take place on the roads used by the Klasika Orbea.

The route also skirts the city of Guernica, made all the more famous by one of Pablo Picasso’s emblematic paintings. This refers to the bombing of the eponymous city ordered by Spanish nationalists in 1937 and carried out by German Nazi and Italian fascist troops. The canvas has become a symbol of the denunciation of Francoist and fascist violence, and then of the horror of war in general.

Orbea, a local and historical heritage

Orbea’s historical stronghold is located 40 km from Bilbao, in the municipality of Mallabia. It is a land of cycling, at the heart of the roads of the Tour of the Basque Country and the Clasica San Sebastian. The famous climb to Arrate is often on the agenda for factory employees’ lunch rides.

Everyone also remembers the “orange tide” of supporters on the roads of the Pyrenees during the Tour de France and the passion for the Euskaltel Euskadi team. There is a real cycling culture here, similar to Brittany in France. In this regard, the density of clubs is significantly higher here than anywhere else in Spain.

Finally, for the record, the 1^st Vuelta in 1932 started from the Orbea factory.

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