Often the Tour de France he left from abroad, but There has never been such a frenzy as in these days of waiting that are being experienced in the Basque CountryThe reasons are many, probably rooted in the very history of this territory nestled between the peaks of the Pyrenees, always a land in between, a little here and a little there, but with a very strong identity.
The Basque Country has always had a significant weight in the world of two wheelsJust think of the many races held there (it's no coincidence that the only Spanish WorldTour road race is in San Sebastian), and the many champions who have emerged from these roads. One of them is well known even in our parts, Igor Astarloa world champion in 2003.
«The start of the Tour responds to a request from the Basque people that comes from far awayOr – Astarloa testifies – we can say that it has finally been granted. Basque matches are always crowded with fans and I can only imagine how many will be on the streets applauding the various Vingegaard, Pogacar and all the others, hoping perhaps that some Spaniard can make us dream."
What does the arrival of the Grande Boucle mean for the local people?
It's a celebration that will last several days, and it doesn't matter if it causes some inconvenience, considering the size of the convoy, which involves road closures hours, if not days, before its passage. No one is complaining; in fact, everyone is happy that this is happening, because it's gratifying in an area where cycling has always had a great tradition. It is no coincidence that of the 66 Spanish stage victories at the Tour, 21 are Basque.
What is the social situation in the Basque Country? Is there still tension with the central government?
The situation has improved greatly, there are no longer ETA terrorist attacks and through negotiations we have achieved a notable autonomy that has calmed many "tempers". The Basque people simply want their identity recognized, which is expressed through its own language and culture.
It is a border territory, also linked to France itself…
Certainly, in fact in France there are three territories where Euskadi is spoken. There is a division by nation, but the people are the same, there is great affinity. The arrival of the Tour de France also serves to represent this affinity between the two neighboring nations through a particular territory like that of the Pyrenees.
You were talking about cycling tradition, we are used to the team ofEuskaltel which was a sort of Basque national team, but why is the female equivalent a multinational instead?
Good question, the answer lies in the relative youth of the women's cycling movement. There are not enough girls in the Basque Country who cycle., but without their own team they would have no chance of reaching the top division. The women's calendar is perhaps even richer than the men's, yet the practitioners are much fewer., the teams need fresh forces to sustain the activity. It was therefore necessary to do someEuskaltel female a multinational team, but still with a strong presence of local athletes.
Is the local cycling tradition still strong?
Yes, but there are far fewer emerging talents at the moment. Cycling in the Basque Country is going through a difficult time that reminds me a lot of what we're experiencing in Italy: there's a lack of talent, and this depends on many factors. It's true that there is a team like Euskaltel, but it's still a smaller team, and the Movistar, Spanish team, it's not enough. However, speaking of tradition, Lombardy comes to mind for comparison. When I turned professional, the big Italian teams came from there, I moved knowing I'd find the home of cycling. Experience a little of the moment we're living in, those who still rely on Landa, Bilbao, brothers IzagirreBut this is also visible on the organizational level: we had youth races with over 300 riders, now we get to less than 150. We suffer a little less at the national level, thanks to the emergence of talents like Ayuso e Rodriguez.
What routes will the riders find when they start?
Over 3.000 meters of elevation gain. Never has a first stage of the Tour been so difficult. and this makes me think. I fear there will be fallsBecause everyone will want to be at the front, knowing that the first stage is already so important: I wouldn't say decisive, but it's almost there. It's an atypical Tour; before, it started with a time trial and flat stages, now it's all about climbing, but then again, there are no flat stages in the Basque Country...
How would a rider like Astarloa have found himself in today's cycling?
Well, in Spain today there isn't a rider with my characteristics. I was a classics rider and was lucky not to end up with Banesto or Once, which were stage race teams. I was especially lucky to find Leali first and Martinelli later., who believed in me. Martino especially took me to Pantani's Mercatone, helping me grow slowly. I didn't win much, but I fulfilled my dream: the rainbow jersey. And can I add something?
Please…
My shirt is also exposed to the San Mames Museum, inaugurated this year for the 120th anniversary of Atlético Bilbao. Few people know that the football team also had a cycling section and in the museum there are memorabilia from the history of Basque cycling.It will be open just in time for the Tour's arrival, available to all fans.
