Itzulia Basque Country

Nairo Quintana's País Vasco win is the most recent, and most resounding, mark of a new generation of Colombian escarabajos

Results from the finale stage of the 2013 Tour of the Basque Country

The Colombian proves stronger than Porte in a rain-soaked final time trial to take the overall victory

1. Richie PORTE, Sky, in 4:40:43 2. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at :04 3. Sergio Luis HENAO MONTOYA, Sky, at :04 4. Nairo Alexander QUINTANA ROJAS, Movistar, at :04 5. Pieter WEENING, Orica-GreenEdge, at :04

Sky tandem takes stage, defends overall lead with one day to go in the Basque Country

1. Nairo Alexander QUINTANA ROJAS, Movistar, in 3:58:52 2. Sergio Luis HENAO MONTOYA, Sky, at :02 3. Alberto CONTADOR VELASCO, Saxo-Tinkoff, at :02 4. Carlos Alberto BETANCUR GOMEZ, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :02 5. Simon SPILAK, Katusha, at :02

Movistar rider trails Sky's Sergio Henao by six seconds in the overall race standings

GCN's Daniel Lloyd recaps the action from the Tour of Flanders and the first stage of the Tour of the Basque Country.

RadioShack-Leopard star says his comeback from a broken sacrum sustained last June has been "harder than I thought"

Spanish climber was dropped by Euskaltel-Euskadi last fall; he's been in front all week at the Tour of the Basque Country

1. Sergio Luis HENAO MONTOYA, Sky, in 3:54:22 2. Carlos Alberto BETANCUR GOMEZ, Ag2r La Mondiale, at :00 3. Giampaolo CARUSO, Katusha, at :05

Sky rider wins stage 3 and slides into the GC lead with three days of racing left

Sky captain said he feels no pressure at this week's Tour of the Basque Country as he keeps the podium in his sights

Simon Gerrans' victory in the opening stage at the Basque Country tour buoys his confidence ahead of the spring classics

1. Daryl IMPEY, Orica-GreenEdge, in 4:23:31 2. Francesco GAVAZZI, Astana, at :00 3. Angel VICIOSO ARCOS, Katusha, at :00

Simon Gerrans loses his overall lead but Orica-GreenEdge stays perfect at the Tour of the Basque Country

1. Simon GERRANS, Orica-GreenEdge, in 4:06:34 2. Peter VELITS, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, at :00 3. Angel VICIOSO ARCOS, Katusha, at :00

Orica-GreenEdge rider holds off challengers in the finishing chute to claim victory

Contador is looking for his first GC win of 2013 while Porte is enjoying the form of his career

Spanish outfit is the only UCI ProTeam without a victory this season

Talansky, van Garderen, Horner head for a wild, mountainous showdown in northern Spain

Sanchez put down a perfect ride to claim the GC at Vuelta al Pais Vasco

Voigt insulted race jury after being fined for signing in late in the pre-stage sign-in

Joaquím Rodríguez won his second straight stage to carry the race leader’s jersey into Saturday’s individual time trial; Horner, Martin cede more time

1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Katusha in 20:29:18 2. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, Euskaltel-Euskadi +9 3. Robert KISERLOVSKI, Astana +26

"Purito" wins stage 4 of the Tour of the Basque Country

Horner goes on the attack at Pais Vasco

GreenEdge goes 1-2 as Rojas retains his lead

Movistar rider takes first leader's jersey in 2012 Vuelta al Pais Vasco

The tortuously steep roads of the Basque Country have a special allure

Two endangered Basque races back through 2013

With severe economic problems in Spain, the Basque Country Tour and the Clásica are on the brink of the abyss

Considered one of Europe's most challenging stage races, the Vuelta al Paîs Vasco will live up to its reputation in 2012 with an interesting route that includes two summit finales and a closing-day individual time trial.

Andreas Klöden returns to the winner's circle in the Tour of the Basque Country as Tony Martin wins the final time trial.

Stage 5: Éibar - El Corrillo

• 1. Francesco GAVAZZI (ITA), Lampre-Farnese Vini, 4:27:03
• 2. Kristof VANDEWALLE (BEL), Quick Step, s.t.
• 3. John GADRET (FRA), Ag2r La Mondiale, s.t.
• 4. Pim LIGTHART (NED), Vacansoleil-DCM, s.t.
• 5. Egoitz GARCIA ECHEGUIBEL (ESP), Caja Rural, s.t.

Overall, after Stage 5

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (Spain), Team Katusha, 21:39:46
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (Germany), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (Spain), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
• 4. Christopher HORNER (United States), Team RadioShack, at 0:01
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (Canada), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06

Stage 5: Éibar - El Corrillo

• 1. Francesco GAVAZZI (ITA), Lampre-Farnese Vini, 4:27:03
• 2. Kristof VANDEWALLE (BEL), Quick Step, s.t.
• 3. John GADRET (FRA), Ag2r La Mondiale, s.t.
• 4. Pim LIGTHART (NED), Vacansoleil-DCM, s.t.
• 5. Egoitz GARCIA ECHEGUIBEL (ESP), Caja Rural, s.t.

Overall, after Stage 5

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (Spain), Team Katusha, 21:39:46
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (Germany), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (Spain), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
• 4. Christopher HORNER (United States), Team RadioShack, at 0:01
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (Canada), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06

Stage 4: Amurrio - Éibar

• 1. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (ESP), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 4:42:37
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (GER), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Alexandre VINOKOUROV (KAZ), Astana, s.t.
• 4. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (ESP), Team Katusha, s.t.
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (CAN), Garmin-Cervelo, s.t.

Overall Standings

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER (Spain), Team Katusha, 17:12:46
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN (Germany), Team RadioShack, s.t.
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ (Spain), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
• 4. Christopher HORNER (United States), Team RadioShack, at 0:01
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL (Canada), Garmin-Cervelo, at 0:06

EIBAR, Spain (VN) - It looks like it will all come down to Saturday’s time trial at this year’s Vuelta al País Vasco.

Stage

• 1. Alexandre VINOKOUROV, (KAZ) Astana, at 4:20:38
• 2. Oscar FREIRE GOMEZ, (ESP) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 8
• 3. Paul MARTENS, (GER) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 8
• 4. Pim LIGTHART, (NED) Vacansoleil-DCM, at 8
• 5. Mikael CHEREL, (FRA) Ag2r La Mondiale, at 8

GC

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, (Spain) Team Katusha, at 12:30:09
• 2. Andreas KLÖDEN, (Germany) Team RadioShack, at 0
• 3. Samuel SANCHEZ GONZALEZ, (Spain) Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 0
• 4. Christopher HORNER, (United States) Team RadioShack, at 1
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL, (Canada) Garmin-Cervelo, at 6

MADRID (AFP) - Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) has won the third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, attacking in the final kilometer to win the 180km stage from Villatuerta Zuia to Murgia (180 km).

Stage

• 1. Vasili Kiryienka, Movistar Team (mov), at 4:06:39
• 2. Andreas KlÖden, Team Radioshack (rsh), at 2
• 3. Andy Schleck, Leopard Trek (leo), at 2
• 4. Chris SÖrensen, Saxo Bank Sungard (sbs), at 2
• 5. Christopher Horner, Team Radioshack (rsh), at 2

GC

• 1. Andreas KlÖden, Team Radioshack (rsh), at 8:09:23
• 2. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver, Katusha Team (kat), at 0
• 3. Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez, Euskaltel-Euskadi (eus), at 0
• 4. Christopher Horner, Team Radioshack (rsh), at 1
• 5. Ryder Hesjedal, Team Garmin-Cervelo (grm), at 6

Vasili Kiryienka (Movistar) delivered victory in another wild ride during the seven-climb second stage at the Tour of the Basque Country on a very warm and sunny Tuesday.

Fränk Schleck (Leopard-Trek) downplayed suggestions that he used a Camelbak hydration system to help him become more aerodynamic in a time trial en route to overall victory at the Critérium International.

Chris Horner (RadioShack) kept alive his GC hopes in a wild opener at the Vuelta a País Vasco (the Tour of the Basque Country), where the veteran American lined up Monday with the No. 1 start bib as defending champion.

• 1. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver, Katusha Team, at 4:02:42
• 2. Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez, Euskaltel-Euskadi, at s.t
• 3. Andreas KlÖden, Team Radioshack, at s.t.
• 4. Christopher Horner, Team Radioshack, at 1
• 5. Ryder Hesjedal, Team Garmin-Cervelo, at 6

Defending champion Chris Horner (RadioShack) will line up with the No. 1 start bib for the upcoming Vuelta al País Vasco.

Money-crunched officials in Spain’s Basque Country say they want to charge fans to watch bike races to help underwrite the costs of funding events.

Just as Euskaltel-Euskadi was fortifying its lineup for 2011, the team announced that it will be losing one of its promising young riders.

Chris Horner survived Friday’s wild rollercoaster across the Basque hills to set himself up for an exciting, final-day time trial showdown against Alejandro Valverde with the overall title of the grueling Vuelta al País Vasco (Tour of the Basque Country) on the line Saturday.

Saxo Bank’s Frank Schleck did not start Thursday’s fourth stage at the Vuelta al País Vasco, but the former Amstel Gold Race champion is expected to race the Ardennes classics later this month.

Euskaltel's Samuel Sanchez won the fourth stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Thursday.

The spring classics could be in danger for Saxo Bank captain Frank Schleck, who crashed hard late in Wednesday’s stage at the Vuelta al País Vasco.

Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre) wins the third stage of Vuelta a País Vasco.

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) won Tuesday’s stage at the Vuelta al País Vasco, this time without a protest, at least not from his part.

Basque hills and French cobblestones dominate what’s sure to be an action-packed week of racing in Europe.

Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) sprinted to fourth as Oscar Freire (Rabobank) darted to an apparent victory in Monday’s opener Tour of the Basque Country (Vuelta ciclista al Pais Vasco in Spanish) in northern Spain, only to see judges award the win to Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne).

2010 Tour of the Basque Country results

Start list, 2010 Tour of the Basque Country

Previous winners of the Tour of the Basque Country

Alejandro Valverde hopes to profit from Alberto Contador's absence at the Tour of the Basque Country.

Peter Stetina is making the most of his rookie year at Garmin-Transitions.

For some cycling fans, and especially Belgian fans, this is the best week of the year.

Alberto Contador and Carlos Sastre are content with their performances to date as March nears its end.

Following a tough win at Paris-Nice, defending Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has reconfigured his racing schedule for the next two months.

Healthy at last, Andy Schleck will make his season debut on Wednesday at the Giro del Friuli in Italy.

Luís León Sánchez, who pipped compatriot and friend Alberto Contador to win last year’s Paris-Nice, won’t be back to defend his title in 2010. The Caisse d’Epargne rider said he doesn’t want the pressure of riding Paris-Nice as defending champion and instead will race in Tirreno-Adriatico and avoid a showdown with Contador in the Race to the Sun.

Following a breakthrough 2009 season, highlighted by a mountaintop stage victory in the Vuelta a España, it’s no surprise that Ryder Hesjedal is hungry for more.

José Ángel Gómez Marchante is hoping to rediscover his lost “chispa”

The Tour of the Basque country — La Vuelta Ciclista al País Vasco — showcases superb climbers.

Astana's Alberto Contador won the Tour of the Basque Country on Saturday, after clinching the sixth and final stage, a 24km time trial around the town of Zalla. It was the second straight Tour of the Basque Country title win for the defending Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España champion. "It's incredible how I continue to progress in my time trial work," said Contador, who took part in the event as part of his preparations for the Tour de France.

A day after Michael Albasini won after a long breakaway, Marco Pinotti delivered Columbia-Highroad’s second straight stage victory at the Vuelta al País Vasco on Friday. The veteran Italian put his strong time trialing skills to good use in a late attack and then held off a late charge from Vicenzo Nibali (Liquigas) to win a cold and rainy fifth stage from Gueñes to Zalla.

Chris Horner (Astana) jumped on a plane Friday to return to the United States, but he’s hopeful he’ll be on another flight back to Europe in time to start the Giro d’Italia. Horner, 37, survived a harrowing crash in Thursday’s fourth stage at the Vuelta al País Vasco when he went sliding under a steel guard-rail and escaped without serious injury. Initial X-rays taken Thursday evening at a Spanish hospital did not reveal any broken bones, but the veteran American will undergo more examinations upon his return to the U.S.

Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream) finished third in the 161km fourth stage at the Vuelta al País Vasco in Spain, joining a successful, three-man breakaway on Thursday. Michael Albasini (Columbia-Highroad) kicked to victory, with Jurgen Van den Broucke (Silence-Lotto) coming through second and Vande Velde slotting into third after an all-day break in a hilly, seven-climb stage in Spain’s Basque Country.