Tour of the Basque Country 2026: Del Toro, Ayuso & Seixas against former champion Roglič

Tour of the Basque Country 2026: The most important facts in brief

• Date: 6 to 11 April, 6 stages
• Distance: ~ 810 kilometres
• Start: Bilbao, Target: Bergara
• Profile: One individual time trial, five hilly stages
• UCI category: WorldTour
• Premiere: 1924, 65th edition

This year, the Tour of the Basque Country will once again take place at the beginning of April. The Itzulia - as it is officially known - is characterised by its short, steep climbs and the cycling-mad Basque fans who create a unique atmosphere along the route year after year.

The favourites - duel of the young guns

The roles have been redistributed for the 2026 Tour of the Basque Country: Two-time winner Primož Roglič is back at the start this year, but as a veteran he is no longer the top favourite. The best form comes from the next generation. Isaac del Toro, Juan Ayuso and Paul Seixas have everything they need for the overall classification and are considered the most promising candidates to win the stage race. Del Toro arrives with victories at the UAE Tour and Tirreno-Adriatico, while Ayuso won the Volta ao Algarve. The young Spaniard only failed to win Paris-Nice because a crash in adverse conditions forced him to abandon. Paul Seixas can already boast second place at the Tour of the Algrave this season, he also finished second at Strade Bianche, only beaten by high-flyer Tadej Pogačar. Roglič will have to hold his own against these "young guns" and can expect a week in which any carelessness will be immediately penalised. For the Slovenian, this is probably the last round trip race before the Vuelta, for which he wants to prepare extensively. Tobias Halland Johannessen, Antonio Tiberi, Christian Scaroni and Mattias Skjelmose are also lurking in the extended group of favourites, who, with a little luck and consistency, at least have an outside chance of finishing on the podium.

Tour of the Basque Country 2026: All stages at a glance

Over 800 kilometres in six days: the 2026 Tour of the Basque Country has no trace of relaxed roller stages, even if the distance has shrunk significantly compared to last year. However, a challenging profile awaits day after day, leaving little room for classic sprinters. The battle for overall victory is likely to be decided on the sixth stage on Saturday - with the finale in Bergara potentially the key to overall success. The traditional stage town of Eibar will be the start and finish location for stage 5 this year.

Stage 1 | Monday, 6th April | Bilbao - Bilbao | 13.9 kilometres (individual time trial)

The 13.9-kilometre individual time trial in Bilbao opens the race and returns after the 2021 pandemic edition. Time trial specialists can gain an initial advantage, although the course is far from flat. Right at the start, there is a 2.4-kilometre climb with a gradient of 7.3 per cent, followed by an almost entirely downhill section. However, a short ramp with a gradient of up to 19 per cent still stands between the riders and the finish.

Stage 2 | Tuesday, 7 April | Pamplona-Iruñea - Cuevas de Mendukilo | 164.1 kilometres

The second stage from Pamplona to Cuevas de Mendukilo measures 164.1 kilometres and involves 3300 metres of climbing. Breakaway groups could succeed here with a big lead, while the overall favourites will duel it out. Just 20 kilometres before the finish is the San Miguel de Aralar climb. Here, the peloton has to conquer 9.5 kilometres at an average gradient of 7.7 per cent. From there, it's a rapid descent and a direct counter-climb to the finish.

Stage 3 | Wednesday, 8 April | Basauri - Basauri | 152.8 kilometres

The third stage covers 152.8 kilometres and 2900 metres in altitude on a circuit through Basauri. The pace will be high right from the start. The short ramps directly before the finish make it even more difficult for the riders, and the classics specialists could have a good chance here.

Stage 4 | Thursday, 9 April | Galdakao - Galdakao | 167.2 kilometres

The fourth stage from Galdakao to Galdakao stretches over 167.2 kilometres with 3200 metres of climbing and offers room for breakaway groups. The last two uphill classifications are once again tough at over 8 per cent, but only measure just 4 and 3 kilometres. The finish is again reached via a ramp.

Stage 5 | Friday, 10 April | Eibar - Eibar | 176.2 kilometres

The fifth stage is considered the toughest stage of the tour. 176.2 kilometres and 3841 metres in altitude through the terrain around Eibar challenge the favourites. In recent years, this stage has always been the final leg of the tour. This year, a preliminary decision in the overall classification will be made here. The Krabelin and Izua climbs are both in the second half of the race, with an average gradient of over 9 per cent and a combined length of over 9 kilometres. However, there is still some way to go to the finish, so a solo or an elite group of favourites is quite conceivable here.

Stage 6 | Saturday, 11 April | Goizper-Antzuola - Bergara | 135.4 kilometres

The final stage from Goizper-Antzuola to Bergara covers 135.2 kilometres and 3000 metres in altitude. With close gaps in the overall classification, the tension remains until the end and late attacks are possible here. After the second descent from Asentzio, the riders cross the finish line and it is here that the winner of the 2026 Tour of the Basque Country will be decided.