The sports agenda in Euskadi is packed with developments, particularly in cycling, football, and basketball. As analyzed by Álvaro Rubio on the program Deportes en Herrera en Cope en Euskadi, the day has been marked by Mikel Landa's withdrawal from the Itzulia, Real Sociedad's handling of tickets for the Copa del Rey final, and the delicate situation facing Athletic Club.
In the Itzulia, the most significant news is Mikel Landa's withdrawal, following a severe crash in the previous stage. This incident also led to the expulsion of the involved medical car from the race. The competition continues today with the Basauri-Basauri stage, where French cyclist Paul Seixas stands out as the undisputed leader.
“"At this moment, he is the trending rider, he is the rider of the future, he is only 19 years old."
Collaborator Rubén Berasategi has emphasized Seixas's superiority, stating that, barring unforeseen circumstances, he will win the race because “he is simply and plainly the strongest of all.” According to Berasategi, Seixas attacked “like true champions do, without looking back,” demonstrating an exceptional level. For today's stage, Berasategi anticipates a “great opportunity for the majority of this peloton,” though he warns of the route's difficulty with the ascent of Bikotx Gane, a 4-kilometer pass with a gradient close to 9% that will select the strongest riders before the finish line.
In football, Real Sociedad has made an excess of 658 tickets for the Copa del Rey final available to its members. However, as journalist Mauri Idiakez points out, these are the most expensive seats, starting from 250 euros. Iturralde does not rule out that, if unsold, they might be offered to the general public.
“"You cannot put low visibility tickets on sale. That seems regrettable to me."
Idiakez has been particularly critical of the sale of low-visibility tickets, calling the practice “a scam” and “truly regrettable,” regardless of whether fans choose to buy them. He believes such seats should not be put on sale. On the sporting front, the team is preparing for the match against Alavés with doubts about Gorosabel and confirmed absences of Jon Martín due to suspension, as well as injured players Zubeldia, Jangel, Odriozola, and Rupérez. Meanwhile, club legend Luis Arconada has declared that he views the final “with optimism” and feels the team and fans are “all excited.”
Meanwhile, Athletic Club is going through a difficult period. The team trained with the good news of Paredes's return, but with the absences of Gorosabel and Prados. Journalist Jose Ituarte has harshly criticized the team's lack of attitude in the last match, stating that he was disappointed by the poor “competitive and fighting” version displayed. There was a consensus on the program that coach Ernesto Valverde's message no longer resonates in the locker room. Ituarte considers it “obvious” that the message is not reaching the players, and that this is one of the reasons why the coach has announced his departure at the end of the season.
Deportivo Alavés will visit Real Sociedad hoping to capitalize on their rival's potential focus on the final. The team relies on the good form of its forwards, Lucas Boyé (10 goals) and Toni Martínez (8), despite defensive issues. Captain Antonio Blanco has described his teammates as “two great strikers” who “give us a lot.”
In basketball, Baskonia concluded its home Euroleague season with a 101-98 victory against Maccabi, their third consecutive win. Coach Galbietti expressed his “great anger” over injuries and close defeats that prevented the team from fighting for the play-in. On the other hand, Bilbao Basket faces the second leg of the semifinals in Miribilla with a 17-point lead.
Finally, in the world of golf, Jon Rahm will begin his participation in the Masters de Augusta tomorrow. The golfer from Barrika has stated that he approaches the tournament with serenity: “I will die peacefully with what I have done in golf, honestly,” demonstrating that the pressure to win does not affect him.
