Gorka Izagirre ready for Ordizia three-peat

Two-time champ Gorka Izagirre will spearhead Euskaltel at Thursday's Klasika Ordizia.

The oldest of the Izagirres was forced to pull out of the Tour de France on the day of the final time trial last week, but has recovered sufficiently from his bout of fever to take the start to defend his crown in the team's backyard.

Joining him will be Tour leader Mikel Nieve, Egoi Martínez, Mikel Landa, Ricardo García, Peio Bilbao, Jon Aberasturi, Gorka Verdugo, Jorge Azanza and Pablo Urtasun.

Team Euskadi will go into the race on a high, fresh off Jon Larrinaga's stage win at the Trofeo Joaquim Agostinho and Carlos Barbero's second and fourth on stages.

Both will be present, though Larrinaga's form is a bit of an unknown given he sustained a knee injury on the third and last stage of the Portuguese race.

Joining the duo will be wonderkid Mikel Aristi, Mikel Bizkarra, Aritz Bagües, Haritz Orbe, Illart Zuazubiskar, Mikel Iturria, Igor Merino and Unai Iparraguirre.

Photo: BCPT