In great form, Yates won two races in Spain this week against much more limited competition.

But the Briton from BikeExchange training has everything to imitate his twin brother Adam, winner in San Sebastian seven years ago.

"It's a one-day race that I like very much with explosive climbs and in general a route on which you can really have fun", considers the ex-Vuelta winner, fickle at times but irresistible in his better days.

Especially with the small wall of Murgil Tontorra (2 km at 10%) located eight kilometers from the finish before the final most often downhill to complete the 224.8 kilometers.

"We have a very good chance of going for the victory", agrees its sporting director Matt Hayman, also citing the Australians Michael Matthews and Nick Schultz, out of the Tour de France.

Provided that they have recovered from the fatigue of the three weeks of racing.

This question mark which arises at the start, each year, of the Clasica, applies to Pogacar, the dolphin of the Dane Jonas Vingegaard last Sunday on the Champs-Elysées.

In front of the Basque fans

"Since the end of the Tour, I went to see my fiancée Urska run in the Women's Tour and then I had a few calmer days", recalls the Slovenian whose only participation ended in an abandonment in 2019, during his first professional season.

Pogacar, who has the right profile to shine along the famous Concha beach, says he is motivated for his last race before a break: "Basque fans are really passionate about cycling and I love racing there."

Especially since he leads a strong UAE team with the promising Spaniard Juan Ayuso and the Portuguese Joao Almeida, in recovery with a view to the Vuelta.

#photo1

Evenepoel, too, has the Vuelta as its horizon line.

The Belgian, who made a sensational debut in 2019 in San Sebastian, is coming out of an internship at altitude.

For the masterful winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège last April, the only reservation is the lack of competition, a once prohibitive handicap which is no longer really relevant in view of the increasingly controlled training.

#photo2

In the absence of world champion Julian Alaphilippe (covid-19), two other former winners are on the list of men to follow.

The American Neilson Powless (2021), who took advantage last year of a lower plateau due to competition from the Tokyo Olympics, and the Dutchman Bauke Mollema (2016) have already distinguished themselves in San Sebastian.

Just like the Spanish veteran Alejandro Valverde (2008 and 2014), ready to equal the victory record of his eldest Marino Lejarreta if successful.

#photo3

On the French side, Alaphilippe's package leaves David Gaudu in the front line if he has digested the Tour de France well and the various requests of the week.

© 2022 AFP