Equatorial Guinea is not one of the powerhouses of cycling. Can you name a cyclist from Equatorial Guinea? At least no one from this country has ever been signed to a professional or amateur team. Anyway, they do host a race, Clasique Pico Basile, for the third time. The last two years it was held at C1 level with Sergio Luis Henao Montoya and Justo Tenorio as winners, but now it is part of the C2 calendar. For a climber in the continental division, it is a rare opportunity to add his name to a list of legendary climbers. 130 riders aim for that position but only one can get added.
Profile
The race takes place on the island of Bioko, just north of the equator (as the name Equatorial Guinea suggests). It is a volcanic island, the largest of which is the Pico Basilé, hence the name of the race. The riders start in San Antonio du Ureca, on the south side of the island, and cross many climbs to get to the capital of Malabo. It doesn't end there though, as the riders have to climb up the Pico Basilé, where the finish line is drawn. The volcano hasn't erupted since 1923, and hopefully it won't do so today. Would give some spectacular racing, but isn't exactly safe for those involved.
Startlist
Favorites
MO
ACC
STA
Outsiders
MO
ACC
STA
Pinot
80
69
76
Gebremedhin
77
75
73
Ranaweera
80
65
75
Gilanipoor
77
73
74
Ratiy
80
58
70
Bardet
77
75
72
Marquez
79
79
69
Battaglin
77
70
69
Garby
79
70
71
Mai
77
60
67
Frankiny
78
75
72
Bonnin
77
73
71
Keinath
78
69
76
Hoem
77
62
74
Cort Nielsen
78
71
76
Aular
77
68
73
Lunke
78
64
76
Schultz
76
71
74
Ndayisenga
78
73
69
Dall'Oste
76
71
71
Kuss
78
69
74
Jang
76
74
72
Giogieri
78
67
71
Destribois
76
75
68
Signorini
78
74
66
Shapira
76
77
68
The three members of the 80 club top the list of favorites. We'll consider them in alphabetical order as to not upset anyone.
Pinot rides for an African team, and this race takes place in Africa, so obviously his team has high expectations for him. Can the Frenchman handle the pressure?
Ranaweera probably has the best lieutenant in the field: Frankiny. He could help his leader for a long time, meaning the Sri Lankan might be stronger towards the end.
Ratiy might be part of this club but is objectively inferior to the previous two due to his tendency to accelerate slower than my grandmother. Luckily cycling isn't all about numbers, otherwise every race would take place on a piece of paper, and what's the fun in that?
The 79 club consists of two members: Marquez and Garby. The Spaniard definitely accelerates faster than my grandmother, and me, and the entire field. He is the highest finishing returner from last year, 17th. The Dane finished 29th in last edition, which was against a much stronger field, so should do better this year. Both participate for different teams now.
The highest historic finisher is Ndayisenga, who took eleventh in the first edition in 2018. He is also the most prominent African on the startlist. A team which has won the race in the past is Philips, but Henao Montoya is no longer employed by them. Now they have to do it with Keinath, who definitely has a chance.
Tryg brings the duo Cort Nielsen - Lunke. Two captains on one ship usually leads to trouble, so either the manager has to make a choice or hope they can set their egos aside. McCormick doesn't have that problem, Kuss is their man from start to finish.
C2 allows for Pro Continental teams to participate, but not with their best riders. It gives a rare opportunity for riders like Giogieri, Gebremedhin, Bonnin and Aular to lead the team and score a good result. Perhaps they can impress their managers to give them more opportunities in bigger races.
Finally, one has to feel for Minali and Quispe, who have been selected by their managers despite being out of breath after a speed bump. Probably not a good sign for the upcoming contract renewals.
We decided to skip this one because we figured a straight up mountain classic wasn't so much to the skillset of our guys. Given how Warbasse has performed compared to the rest of our leaders, I kind of regret it. But what can you do.
Hope for an exciting race.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
C2 usually isn't the race category where I expect to get points from, but with Giogieri and Gilanipoor both eligible I should get some scoring done. Because I need it badly.
Hoping for a Top 10 for Ndayisenga, anything outside the Top 15 is a disappointment. It would also be cool to finally get anything from Mai. Not holding out much hope though. Looking forward to the report, have fun everyone
Very nice! Would have been cool to beat Aular at the line, but sixth for Ndayisenga is more than enough to make this a very successful race for us, especially with a sign of life by Mai in 18th. Also nice to be aggressive, even if the early attack may have cost Ndayisenga a little bit.
Congrats to Sauber, brutal performance by Ranaweera. And also to Tryg, certainly a welcome surprise for them! And thanks, of course, for the nice report, Marco
Ulrich Ulriksen wrote:
Kuss has a nice record of finishing around where he is in the preview, so 11th, hopefully his good RS helps him here. Thanks for the preview.
12th, pretty much on the dot. Congrats to Sauber, a dominant performance.
I am happy with a fourth place, which is where Marquez was placed in the preview Textbook by Sauber indeed, while Pinot will be disappointed. Great second place for Tryg again. Liefwarrior might have been right when he told me he probably wouldn't be fifth in the CT at the end, as a top-3 is also still doable indeed
Thank you for the great and easy to follow report, Marco. Too bad Quispe couldn't redeem himself and survive those African speed bumps At the moment the team is still happy about him though, so that contract renewal shouldn't worry him too much
Didn't expect much from Kkeinath tbh at the start of the season from classics and that proved to be true here. He is definitely more suited to stage racing. An ok result but we need to do better. Wish Bardet could've hung on for a little longer but he's not been that kind of a rider for a couple of seasons now.
One day races always have that random element connected to daily form. To not win is disappointing, but at least scraped away a podium. It could easilt be worse like it was for Ratiy.
Clasique Pico Basile 
At the moment the team is still happy about him though, so that contract renewal shouldn't worry him too much 
