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Spain 06 Apr – 11 Apr 2026 Class 2.UWT – Stages – UCI WorldTour
Website www.itzulia.eus
The 2026 Itzulia Basque Country (Tour of the Basque Country) begins on Monday, April 6, featuring a highly competitive field. Below is the startlist organized by team and bib number.
2026 Itzulia Basque Country Startlist
| Team | Bib | Riders |
| Soudal Quick-Step | 1–7 | Mikel Landa, Steff Cras, Mauri Vansevenant, Ilan Van Wilder, Ethan Hayter, Ayco Bastiaens, Martin Svrcek |
| XDS Astana Team | 11–17 | Clément Champoussin, Lorenzo Fortunato, Sergio Higuita, Harold Tejada, Nicola Conci, Christian Scaroni, Simone Velasco |
| Groupama – FDJ United | 21–27 | Guillaume Martin, Clément Braz Afonso, Maxime Decomble, Kevin Geniets, Quentin Pacher, Enzo Paleni, Rémy Rochas |
| UAE Team Emirates – XRG | 31–37 | Isaac Del Toro, Brandon McNulty, Igor Arrieta, Felix Großschartner, Domen Novak, Adrià Pericas, Marc Soler |
| Lidl – Trek | 41–47 | Juan Ayuso, Bauke Mollema, Andrea Bagioli, Julien Bernard, Carlos Verona, Mattias Skjelmose, Quinn Simmons |
| Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe | 51–57 | Primoz Roglic, Haimar Etxeberria, Florian Lipowitz, Finn Fisher-Black, Gianni Moscon, Luke Tuckwell, Emil Herzog |
| Decathlon CMA CGM | 61–67 | Paul Seixas, Matthew Riccitello, Léo Bisiaux, Jordan Labrosse, Nicolas Prodhomme, Johannes Staune-Mittet, Aurélien Paret-Peintre |
| Movistar Team | 91–97 | Cian Uijtdebroeks, Jorge Arcas, Juan Pedro López, Raúl García Pierna, Natnael Tesfatsion, Roger Adrià, Javier Romo |
| Bahrain – Victorious | 111–117 | Pello Bilbao, Roman Ermakov, Rainer Kepplinger, Alberto Bruttomesso, Oliver Stockwell, Antonio Tiberi, Attila Valter |
| Tudor Pro Cycling | 131–137 | Julian Alaphilippe, Fabian Weiss, Marco Brenner, Jacob Eriksson, Yannis Voisard, Hannes Wilksch, Luc Wirtgen |
| Cofidis | 141–147 | Ion Izagirre, Alex Aranburu, Emanuel Buchmann, Jamie Meehan, Yaël Joalland, Jan Maas, Paul Ourselin |
| Ineos Grenadiers | 181–187 | Andrew August, Lucas Hamilton, Michal Kwiatkowski, Victor Langellotti, Axel Laurance, [Full roster pending] |
| Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 191–197 | Bruno Armirail, Ben Tulett, Steven Kruijswijk, Tim Rex, Filippo Fiorelli, [Full roster pending] |
Race Quick Facts
- Dates: April 6 – April 11, 2026.
- Total Distance: 809.4 km.
- Stage 1: A 13.9 km Individual Time Trial (ITT) in Bilbao.
- Key Favorites: Juan Ayuso (defending champion) and Primoz Roglic are among the top contenders for the General Classification.
Note: Startlists are subject to last-minute changes due to rider health or team tactical decisions.
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
The 2026 Itzulia Basque Country (Tour of the Basque Country) is the 65th edition of this prestigious UCI WorldTour race. It is scheduled to run from April 6 to April 11, 2026, covering approximately 810 km over six stages.
True to the race’s reputation, the 2026 route is exceptionally demanding, featuring roughly 16,000 meters of vertical gain and numerous “walls” (short, steep climbs) that characterize Basque cycling.
Stage Schedule & Route
| Stage | Date | Route | Distance | Type |
| 1 | April 6 | Bilbao – Bilbao | 13.9 km | Individual Time Trial |
| 2 | April 7 | Pamplona – Cuevas de Mendukilo | 164.1 km | Mountain Stage |
| 3 | April 8 | Basauri – Basauri | 152.8 km | Hilly Stage |
| 4 | April 9 | Galdakao – Galdakao | 167.2 km | Hilly Stage |
| 5 | April 10 | Eibar – Eibar | 176.2 km | Queen Stage (Mountains) |
| 6 | April 11 | Antzuola – Bergara | 135.4 km | Mountain Stage |
Key Race Highlights
The “Red Bull Kilometer”: A new feature for 2026 where additional bonus seconds (6, 4, and 2) are awarded at a specific designated kilometer each day, adding a tactical layer to the GC battle.
The Opener: The race kicks off with an explosive Individual Time Trial in Bilbao. Unlike a standard flat TT, it features a 2.4 km climb early on and a punishing 9.2% ramp to the finish line.
The Queen Stage (Stage 5): Starting and ending in Eibar, this stage is the most difficult of the week, with over 4,000 meters of climbing and several legendary passes including the Izua (Arrate).
New Finale: Breaking from the tradition of finishing in Eibar, the 2026 race will conclude in Bergara to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the local cycling club, Lokatza.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Itzulia Basque Country (officially the Vuelta al País Vasco) is one of the most storied and physically demanding stage races in professional cycling. Its history is a mix of regional pride, early 20th-century adventure, and modern WorldTour prestige.
1. The Early Years (1924–1935)
The race was first organized in 1924 as the GP Excelsior. In these early years, it quickly became a major international event, attracting legends like Gino Bartali (who won in 1935) and Maurice De Waele.
- The Hemingway Connection: The race’s early intensity was even captured in literature; Ernest Hemingway mentions the 1920s editions in his famous novel The Sun Also Rises.
- The Interruption: The race was halted in 1936 due to the Spanish Civil War. Following the war, under Francisco Franco’s regime, the race struggled to find a footing and remained dormant for over three decades.
2. The Rebirth and Mergers (1952–1969)
While the official “Tour of the Basque Country” was inactive, the Eibar Cycling Club launched the Gran Premio de la Bicicleta Eibarresa in 1952 to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
- 1969 Resurrection: It wasn’t until 1969 that the race was officially revived as the Vuelta al País Vasco. It effectively merged with the Bicicleta Eibarresa to create the five-stage format that resembles the modern race.
- Modern Era Winner: The first winner of this “modern” era was the French legend Jacques Anquetil.
3. Record Breakers and Legends
The race is famously known for its “wall-like” climbs, favoring versatile climbers and “puncheurs.” Two riders share the record for the most overall victories:
- José Antonio González Linares (4 wins): Dominated the 1970s (1972, 1975, 1977, 1978).
- Alberto Contador (4 wins): The modern king of the race, winning in 2008, 2009, 2014, and 2016.
- Other Icons: Sean Kelly and Tony Rominger both hold three titles each. More recently, Primož Roglič and Jonas Vingegaard have continued the tradition of Grand Tour winners finding success in the Basque hills.
4. Key Traditions & Modern Identity
- The Txapela: Instead of a traditional trophy, the overall winner is presented with a txapela—a traditional large Basque beret—often customized with embroidery.
- The Walls of Eibar: For decades, the town of Eibar and the nearby Arrate climb served as the spiritual heart and frequent finish of the race.
- WorldTour Status: Today, it is a permanent fixture of the UCI WorldTour, known for having almost no flat kilometers and often serving as a critical form-check for the Ardennes Classics.
- Itzulia Women: In 2022, the race expanded its legacy by launching a women’s edition, which quickly joined the Women’s WorldTour.
The race faced a brief scare during the 2012 financial crisis but was saved by a massive local fundraising effort and fan support, cementing its status as a race that belongs as much to the Basque people as it does to the professional peloton.
