Rubén Ruzafa favorite for the 1º Xterra Basque Country

This Sunday will be the first edition of the Xterra Basque Country test, cross triathlon or mountain triathlon test of the XTERRA circuit in the world

 

XTERRA It is the largest cross triathlon circuit in the world with more than 200 events and 17 host countries and whose origin dates back to the 1996 year on the island of Maui (Hawaii).

This Sunday will be celebrated first edition of the Xterra Basque Country test, cross triathlon or mountain triathlon test of the XTERRA world circuit (www.xterraplanet.com), whose reign is held annually in Hawaii from 1996.

It is a cross or mountain triathlon that combines the sports discipline with a strong component or contact with nature. The organization of the race is run by the CD Fortuna and will take place between Álava- dam of Landa- and Gipuzkoa. Sanctuary of Arantzazu

XTERRA is the largest cross triathlon circuit in the world with more than 200 events and 17 host countries and whose origins date back to the 1996 year on the island of Maui (Hawaii).

XTERRA BASQUECOUNTRY It will be the only test of this circuit to be held in the north of the country, where five other tests are held in 2015 (www.xterraspain.com). It will also be the Euskadi Cross Triathlon Championship in its distance.

230 will be the people who will take part in any of the two distances - the test, PRO for experts and OPEN for initiates - in individual or team mode.

Distances PRO (swimming: 1.500 m; BTT: 38 Km; Running on foot: 11,5 Km) Exit: 11: 00

Distances OPEN (swimming: 1.000 m; BTT: 30 Km; Running on foot: 5,6 Km) Exit: 10: 00

The provenance of the triathletes is varied, although it highlights the high number of Gipuzkoans, a large presence of Catalans, Alava, Biscay and Madrid, a varied representation of Andalusian triathletes and two participants from the French state.

The first discipline of swimming will be held in the Ullibarri-Gamboa reservoir in the Provincial Park of Landa, then participants will take the mountain bike or BTT to the Sanctuary of Arantzazu, crossing the Sierra de Elgea and the forests near the Sanctuary in a hard circuit with enough technical stretches.

After reaching Arantzazu, the athletes must put on their mountain shoes and climb the high mountain fields under the crests that make up the Aloña and Aizkorri mountain ranges, arriving at the Hermitage of Urbia to return and finish in the singular sanctuary containing works of art. Jorge Oteiza and Eduardo Chillida, which brings together all the characteristics so that the development of the XTERRA Basque Country is spectacular.

The proper names of this first edition stand out:

Rubén Ruzafa, triple world champion XTERRA, current ITU Triathlon Cross world champion, winner of the two XTERRA disputed this year, - Including the Spanish championship and current leader of the general classification.

Gonzalo Orozco, surprise this year in the XTERRA Spain Tour, second behind Rubén Ruzafa in the classification of the XTERRA Spain Tour Extremadura 2015, with a second place in XTERRA Axarquia 2015, and a meritorious sixth place in the XTERRA Spain Championship in Extremadura.

As well as Juan Carlos Nieto and Rubén Laon Blazquez:

Rubén Ruzafa, Gonzalo Orozco and Juan Carlos Nieto are 1, 2 and 3 currently in the Spain Tour.

Juan Carlos Nieto, second last year in XTERRA La Viñuela 2014, and fourth in XTERRA Kingdom of Granada 2014, this year occupies the third position in the general classification, after getting a third place in XTERRA Axarquia - Costa del sol 2015.

Ruben Leon Blazquez, fourth classified in XTERRA Axarquia - Costa del sol 2015.

Merce Tusell, champion of two XTERRA IN 2014, Madrid and Granada, which gave her the title of XTERRA Spain Tour 2014 Champion.

Natividad Gómez, XTERRA champion Axarquia 2015, and current leader of the XTERRA Spain Tour Extremadura 2015 tied in points with the Czech Helena Erbanova.

Teresa Pons, third position in XTERRA Madrid 2014.

Among the age groups, highlights Raúl Casañas. Marketing manager of Orca as well as well-known triathletes from Gipuzkoa such as Jon Ergüin, the pasaitarra, Xabi Lekue and the oñatiarra Argider Isasti, recent winner of the ultra triathlon Soplaoman.

The test has the collaboration of the Basque Triathlon Federation, the Commonwealth of Debagoiena, the Department of Tourism of the Basque Government through the brand BTT Euskadi Basque Country as well as other entities and local associations.

Photo: Skechers