Going back to 2009, the Euskal Bizikleta has been a staple of the ManGame calendar for a long time. Starting off in C2, this is now the third edition as a C1 race and some big names are once again on the startlist.
Profile
But first, a look at the profile. The race has carved out a nice niche for punchy sprinters or puncheurs with an extra quick finish, as indicated by the last three winners: Marco Kump, Hugo Houle and, most recently, Christopher Lagane. While winning solo is far from impossible on the last two stages, it has more often been the case that reduced groups arrive at the line together, with bonus seconds often deciding the final GC.
Contenders
Rider
FL
HI
ST
RS
SP
AC
Demare
72
79
74
71
81
80
Lagane
70
78
70
71
76
77
Bagioli
71
79
77
73
71
78
Sagan
70
81
75
71
71
73
Stannard
73
81
75
76
69
78
Vakoc
71
81
75
71
71
74
Kinoshita
72
82
79
76
67
76
Turgis
73
79
76
78
70
77
Edmondson
70
79
75
72
70
76
Benoot
71
81
75
74
69
71
McCarthy
70
82
80
75
65
74
Bystrom
72
79
75
72
68
76
Hirschi
71
79
78
78
66
75
Van Niekerk
69
80
72
75
64
74
Kelderman
69
81
79
74
66
71
Jensen
70
79
76
72
65
75
Overall, this is a very deep field of contenders, with many riders of similar caliber and only slight differences in strength and skillset. But two riders most certainly stand out: Demare and last year’s winner Lagane. They are both: capable puncheurs and sprinters.
Following those two is the group of the premier puncheurs who also have a decent sprint to them. These include this year’s PCT phenomenon Bagioli, as well as Sagan, Stannard, Vakoc and Kinoshita. A small step below as puncheurs, but no less fast are Turgis and Edmondson. ISA Hexacta actually comes with a two-pronged leadership here, as Van Niekerk is also present, though the South African does lack the speed of his teammate.
Similarly, the likes of Benoot, McCarthy and Kelderman are a bit on the slower side, although they will shine if the hilly stages are more selective than in previous years. Rounding out this list are Bystrom, Hirschi and Jensen.
Outsiders
Rider
FL
HI
ST
RS
SP
AC
Meurisse
73
77
74
74
71
78
Calmejane
74
77
73
76
72
76
Oliveira
70
76
77
72
75
78
Korosec
71
75
74
71
75
78
Narvaez
70
77
71
71
73
74
Gabburo
75
76
73
75
72
76
Wackermann
74
74
74
74
74
72
Serrano
69
77
73
75
68
77
Vliegen
71
77
76
70
66
74
Zordan
67
77
72
72
65
74
There are a few team leaders that don’t quite reach the level of puncheur prowess of the guys above, but might have a shot at real success if they can stay with the bunch and rely on their sprint. These are Meurisse and Vakoc teammate Calmejane, as well as Oliveira, Korosec, Narvaez, Gabburo and Wackermann. Some of them, Oliveira, Rok and Wackerman in particular, need very unselective hill stages, though.
Lastly Serrano, Vliegen and Zordan are team captains with neither great hill nor sprint stats, but still with outside chances at a decent result if things break their way.
Sprinters
Rider
FL
HI
ST
RS
SP
AC
Einhorn
74
61
71
71
80
78
Afewerki
73
64
77
70
79
80
Kalaba
74
69
70
72
79
79
Walscheid
73
63
71
74
79
79
Ovsyannikov
74
68
75
72
79
78
Nur Hasan
74
64
74
74
79
78
Contreras
72
68
73
75
78
80
Losch
73
65
72
68
78
79
Wouters
75
68
73
75
77
79
Kiskonen
74
68
77
77
77
77
Vingerling
69
60
69
63
77
76
Dakteris
74
63
72
68
76
75
In addition to Demare and Lagane, there are quite a few decent sprinters who are here to contest the first two stages – including, of course, the yellow jersey for a couple of days – as well as the points classification. It’s not easy to pick someone as the outright favorite, with as many as eight riders almost on par, so I’m not going to try. At least those Top 8, and maybe even one of the guys below, can certainly aim for a stage win here.
A race I have absolutely no idea what to expect results wise, and one that should have Demare’s name written all over it. Bagioli is back after a few months off to finally spend a couple more RD’s, he should be suited to the route and I’d expect him to land somewhere in the top-10 hopefully, but that will depend on how the race is ridden. I’d love for a hard race, but can see quite a few sprinters being there or thereabouts at the finish. Should be exciting anyway
With all this puncheurs and sprinters at the start we have to hope for some really good stages from Oliveira. At least I know why I didn't send APP here now.
Euskal Bizikleta 
