{"id":591491,"date":"2026-04-07T15:30:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/591491\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T15:30:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T15:30:19","slug":"itzulia-basque-country-stage-2-live-paul-seixas-leads-the-race-after-attacking-on-final-climb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/591491\/","title":{"rendered":"Itzulia Basque Country stage 2 LIVE – Paul Seixas leads the race after attacking on final climb"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:29:19.338Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz and Skjelmose are playing mind games, dropping right to the back of the group and even letting a small gap open up between themselves and the other three.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:28:44.348Z<\/p>\n

Still the five chasers are looking at each other, rather than committing to the chase.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:27:20.215Z
\n10KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Seixas leads the five chasers by one minute, as he enters the final 10km.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:26:44.310Z<\/p>\n

Landa has crashed on the descent, and it looks like a heavy one.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:26:19.646Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"CUEVAS\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:23:56.920Z<\/p>\n

Juan Ayuso is much further behind, in a group two minutes behind the leader.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:22:48.077Z<\/p>\n

The five riders behind aren’t working well together.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:22:19.034Z<\/p>\n

The descent is more shallow than the ascent up, and isn’t especially technical.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:21:55.257Z<\/p>\n

15km to go, Seixas is retaining his lead of 50 seconds on the descent.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:21:07.172Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz, Uijtdebroeks, Baudin, Skjelmose and Izagirre crested the climb a little ahead of the other chasers.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:19:15.036Z<\/p>\n

Behind, Lipowitz is caught by the chase group just as he summit the climb.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:18:49.981Z
\nKOM – SAN MIGUEL DE ARALAR <\/p>\n

Paul Seixas reaches the top of the climb, his lead still 50 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:16:34.120Z
\n20KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Lipowitz still has 50 seconds to make up if he’s to catch Seixas, though. They will have to be gained on the descent, as they’re about to summit the climb.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:15:40.355Z<\/p>\n

Attack from Lipowitz, and this time he’s gone clear!<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:14:56.939Z<\/p>\n

Now Izagirre aand Roglic join them.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:14:42.860Z<\/p>\n

As has Uijtdebroeks.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:14:30.446Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz has clawed up to his wheel.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:14:06.294Z<\/p>\n

Del Toro ups the pace on a steeper section, and has a small gap.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:13:47.639Z<\/p>\n

1.5km from the top for Seixas, his lead at 45 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:13:28.412Z<\/p>\n

Tejada has joined the chasers from behind, and Landa is nearing them.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:13:10.521Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz led for a little while, but now Del Toro takes over again.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:12:09.467Z<\/p>\n

Cohesion has broken down though, as the Red Bull riders try attacking.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:11:37.139Z<\/p>\n

Del Toro is leading the chase group, and is keeping the gap at 45 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:09:39.193Z<\/p>\n

Seixas is riding away from them all though – he’s grown his lead to 45 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:09:20.474Z<\/p>\n

There are nine riders in the chase – Rogli\u010d, Lipowitz, Del Toro, Tulett, Baudin, Skjelmose, Uijtdebroeks, Izagirre and Champoussin<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:07:36.000Z<\/p>\n

They’ve been joined by more riders, including Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:06:10.282Z<\/p>\n

Del Toro ups the pace in the chase, taking Tulett, Lipowitz, Uijtdebroeks and Izagirre with him.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:05:22.363Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz has been caught by that chase group, which is 20 seconds behind now.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:04:57.239Z<\/p>\n

Included in that group of 12 are Del Toro, Tulett, Skjelmose, Uijtdebroeks, and those who were in the day’s break still.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:04:14.659Z<\/p>\n

The peloton behind Lipowitz only has about 12 riders left in it.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:03:34.204Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz has set off in pursuit of the yellow jersey by himself, but is 15 seconds adrift already.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:03:07.078Z<\/p>\n

Back in the chase group, Ayuso is struggling, and has been droped out of it.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:02:42.880Z<\/p>\n

Bou tried to hang on to his wheel, but Seixas is now clear by himself.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:01:48.996Z<\/p>\n

Seixas has caught them, and now leads the race, with 25.5km left to ride.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:01:28.463Z<\/p>\n

Seixas has caught and passed Van den Broeck, and is bearing down on the rest.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:00:40.927Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz is leading the chase behind, aleady about ten seconds behind.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:00:17.124Z<\/p>\n

Nobody is following him.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T15:00:00.627Z
\nSEIXAS ATTACKS<\/p>\n

The yellow jersey accelerates, staying in his saddle but producing considerable power!<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:59:01.288Z<\/p>\n

The gradient steepens, and Garc\u00eda Pierna ups the pace in the break.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:57:47.285Z<\/p>\n

Hayter and Van den Broeck have joined the leading duo, but not Armirail.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:57:10.551Z<\/p>\n

Still it’s Decathlon who lead, and have the peloton all spread out, with some being dropped towards the back, including Alaphilippe.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:56:29.704Z<\/p>\n

Mintegi was dropped out the break, and is taken back by the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:55:52.053Z<\/p>\n

Back in the break, Bou and Garc\u00eda Pierna have attacked out from the break.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:55:17.457Z<\/p>\n

Well, it’s not exactly a long line – Paul Seixas has two riders pacing him.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:54:24.016Z<\/p>\n

Now Decathlon take over again, with a long line.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:53:25.463Z<\/p>\n

Lidl lead the peloton onto the climb, led by Simmons.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:53:10.349Z<\/p>\n

And now here comes the peloton onto the climb, the pace back up again.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:52:15.870Z<\/p>\n

Here we go! The break swings on to the San Miguel de Aralar, and will spend the next 9.4km climbing at 7.8%.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:50:53.288Z
\n30KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The pace is off again in the peloton, with the group spread horizontally across the road. That’s allowed the break to grow their lead again, up to 1:25. Do they still have a chance?<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:48:41.689Z<\/p>\n

The pace is up in the peloton, and the gap is consequently coming down. They now have little more than a minute.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:45:41.255Z<\/p>\n

Which riders do we need to look out for? The likes of K\u00e9vin Vauquelin, Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d and Florian Lipowitz are the most immediate threats to Paul Seixas on GC, but Isaac del Toro and Juan Ayuso should enjoy such a tough climb too.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:43:58.517Z<\/p>\n

We’re nearing crunch time. They’ll be climbing in less than 10km, and the race for position in the peloton is on.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:39:20.189Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"CUEVAS\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:38:36.204Z<\/p>\n

Hayter is talking to his team car, and seems to have some kind of problem with his bike. He’s riding on for now.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:37:08.529Z
\n40KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The break’s lead over the peloton remains the same, at 1:30.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:36:30.702Z<\/p>\n

Hayter has taken the seconds, and dropped back into the break.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:35:45.517Z<\/p>\n

There are some bonus seconds available, and Hayter has attacked out of the break in pursuit of them.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:34:41.611Z<\/p>\n

Axel Laurance was the other Ineos rider to go down in the crash, though he and Hamilton are back in the peloton now.<\/p>\n

Today’s climb will be too hard for him, but he’s a contender for stage wins on easier days later in the race.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:31:44.053Z<\/p>\n

The break’s lead isn’t getting much bigger. It’s holding at around 1:30.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:28:27.827Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"CUEVAS\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:26:56.533Z<\/p>\n

There are about 20km until the foot of the final climb. The pace in the peloton is likely to increase the closer they get to it, as the battle for position ignites.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:25:49.083Z
\n50KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The gap between the peloton and the break has grown, to 1:20. This is a crucial phase of the race for the break’s chances of survival, as they’ll need to grow it considerably more on this rolling section before the start of the final climb. The odds are against them.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:24:30.430Z<\/p>\n

Ineos’ leader Vauquelin was held up a little, but didn’t go down, and was unaffected.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:23:31.753Z<\/p>\n

It appears that everyone is up and running again. Lucas Hamilton was the worst off, but is also riding his way back to the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:22:14.592Z<\/p>\n

Crash in the peloton – 3 Ineos riders involved, and 2 Tudor riders.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:20:25.735Z<\/p>\n

The seven riders in the break today.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CUEVAS\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:17:38.882Z<\/p>\n

The updated KOM rankings, with just one climb left today:<\/p>\n

1 Bou 12 points<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2 Mintegi 6<\/p>\n

3 Seixas 3<\/p>\n

4 Armirail 2<\/p>\n

5 Fajardo 2<\/p>\n

6 Mollema 2<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:15:47.508Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"CUEVAS\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:14:12.185Z<\/p>\n

Things have calmed down again in the peloton, and Decathlon has resumed control.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:13:37.882Z<\/p>\n

UAE Team Emirates-XRG are the team leading the peloton on the descent. There was news in their camp today, as it was announced that Brandon McNulty has signed a contract extension with the team.<\/p>\n

Brandon McNulty takes stay at UAE Team Emirates-XRG past decade mark with contract extension<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:11:57.687Z
\n60KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The peloton hasn’t let up on the descent, though the gap has increased a little, to 50 seconds. The break will need to push on hard to give themselves a chance.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:10:04.576Z<\/p>\n

The peloton has also crested the climb, just 45 seconds after the break. The jostling for position by the GC teams increased the pace significantly, reflected by the reduction of the gap.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:08:59.262Z
\nKOM – ALDATZ<\/p>\n

Bou again moves to the front to take the maximum points on offer at the top of the climb, this time from Armirail and Garcia.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:07:23.665Z<\/p>\n

The GC teams in the peloton are making sure to stay right at the front on this narrow climb. The likes of UAE and Ineos are now riding up there with Decathlon.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:05:52.091Z<\/p>\n

A nice gesture from Hayter in the break, who hands his bidon to a child watching on the roadside.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:04:40.875Z<\/p>\n

The road surface here is also pretty rough, adding to the difficulty, but we’re still too far out for any of the GC contenders to light things up in the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:03:47.454Z<\/p>\n

The road narrows as they swing onto the steep final slopes to the summit of Aldatz. This one’s a category three, so has less points on offer, but these final gradients are tough.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T14:00:57.434Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"CUEVAS\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:57:02.821Z<\/p>\n

Enzo Paleni and R\u00e9my Rochas were the two Groupama riders involved in the crash earlier.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:54:15.799Z
\n70KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The break has reached the bottom of the descent with their lead of 1:20 still intact. But you imagine they’ll need to grow it to more tha that before the final climb if they’re to have a chance of competing for the stage win.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:50:18.816Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"CUEVAS\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:49:21.598Z<\/p>\n

The updated KOM rankings, after Bou, Mintegi and Van den Broeck took the points:<\/p>\n

1 Bou 9 points<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2 Mintegi 6<\/p>\n

3 Seixas 3<\/p>\n

4 Farjado 2<\/p>\n

5 Mollema 2<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:47:04.720Z<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a crash in the peloton as they near the top. Two riders went down, both of them Groupama riders.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:46:19.888Z
\nKOM – ALTO DE ZUARRARRATE <\/p>\n

Bou wants the mountains points again at the top of the climb. He jumps clear to seal them, ahead of the rest of the disinterested group.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:43:00.935Z<\/p>\n

Fajardo has dropped back into the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:41:53.266Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"CUEVAS\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:39:50.750Z
\n80KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Decathlon\u2019s pace on this climb is bringing the break\u2019s lead down. It\u2019s at 1:20, the lowest it\u2019s been since shortly after it initially formed.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:36:30.363Z<\/p>\n

The break are on the Alto de Zuarrarrate, and Farjado has been dropped.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:35:43.511Z<\/p>\n

Still it’s Decathlon CMA CGM who lead the peloton.<\/p>\n

\n

\"CUEVAS\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:33:13.247Z<\/p>\n

One rider whose performance will be of particular interest today will be Juan Ayuso\u2019s. Was his problems in the time trial yesterday a mere bad day, or does he lack his top form and fitness? The Spaniard has said that he intends to keep fighting for GC, and hopes to improve as the race goes on.<\/p>\n

‘One of my worst TT performances that I can remember’ – favourite Juan Ayuso pulls no punches after Itzulia Basque Country stage 1 time trial major setback<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:26:38.379Z<\/p>\n

The upcoming climb is the Alto de Zuarrarrate – a long one, at 7.3km, but not especially steep, averaging a pretty steady 4.7%.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:25:21.940Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"LEKUNBERRI,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:24:16.872Z
\n90KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The gap’s grown again, to 1:55. They\u2019re nearing the end of this flat section, and will be climbing again soon.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:22:20.873Z<\/p>\n

Today is one of many that Ra\u00fal Garc\u00eda Pierna has ventured out into the break on already this year, having already done so at Paris-Nice and Volta Comunitat Valenciana, to name a few. He managed to take a stage in the latter, too, and is on paper one of the strongest riders in the group.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:18:14.337Z<\/p>\n

Frank van den Broek is another rider in the break who could be hard to bring back – as anyone who remembers the opening stage of the 2024 Tour de France will attest to.<\/p>\n

That day<\/a> he stayed clear with his teammate Romain Bardet all the way to the finish, defying the odds by holding off a very powerful peloton desperate to have a shot at being the first that year to wear yellow, and sealing the jersey for his French teammate instead.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:13:16.545Z
\n100KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The gap’s come down a little on this (rare) flat section, to about 1:40.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:10:29.800Z<\/p>\n

Ethan Hayter is another man who, like Armirail, is trying again after delivering a time trial short of his best. His form has been erratic for the past few years, but by getting into the break today he\u2019s shown he has the appetite to ride for a stage win.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:06:03.069Z
\n110KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The gap between the break and the peloton has remained much the same on the descent, at just under two minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:05:14.454Z<\/p>\n

Armirail\u2019s presence in the break also suggests that his Visma-Lease a Bike team are targeting stage wins rather than the GC. Though they have Ben Tulett well-placed in fourteenth on the overall rankings following yesterday\u2019s time trial, they haven\u2019t brought any of their big stage race guns to the Basque Country.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s still a strong line- up, epitomised by Armirail, and will make them dangerous prospects on days like this in the hunt for stage wins.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T13:02:57.379Z<\/p>\n

This is a strong breakaway the peloton has allowed to go clear, with Bruno Armirail in particular standing out.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s the current virtual yellow jersey, as the highest man in the group on GC (at 50 seconds). Though not at his best in yesterday\u2019s time trial, he\u2019s a master escape artist, and possesses the kind of unfatigable engine that requires a very big effort to bring him back.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:59:44.783Z<\/p>\n

The riders are at last over the climb and now get to enjoy a lengthy descent, before a flat run-in to the next climb.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:56:44.109Z<\/p>\n

Even Paul Seixas himself sounded a little taken aback by how good his performance at yesterday\u2019s time trial was. He\u2019s now the frontrunner for overall victory, but doesn\u2019t want to overhype his chances, describing himself merely as \u201cbeing in the running\u201d for the title.<\/p>\n

‘I didn’t expect to win by such a margin’ \u2013 A time trial triumph for Paul Seixas as he carves out first WorldTour stage victory and claims leader’s jersey at Itzulia Basque Country<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:51:16.235Z<\/p>\n

The gradient kicks up now for the final 4km to the summit, from the false flat they have been riding up to 5%.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:49:44.983Z
\n120KM TO GO<\/p>\n

As they continue to climb to the unclassified summit of Puerto de Lizarraga, the gap remains steady, hovering at around two minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:45:36.927Z<\/p>\n

Decathlon have taken on the responsibility of leading the peloton, for their leader in the yellow jersey. It’s a rare position the team find themselves in, but one that will likely become more common the longer they retain the services of Paul Seixas.<\/p>\n

\n

\"LEKUNBERRI,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:37:55.067Z<\/p>\n

The kind of terrain they\u2019re taking on at the moment is typical of the Basque Country. It\u2019s not a classified climb, but the road has been going up for almost 10km, and will continue doing so, with varying gradients, for about another 10km.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:32:52.002Z
\n130KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The gap between the peloton and the breakaway has come down a bit, to 2:15, as they climb an uncategorised rise.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:31:58.269Z<\/p>\n

Paul Seixas in yellow, safely in the peloton.<\/p>\n

\n

\"LEKUNBERRI,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:26:41.298Z<\/p>\n

Here are the updated virtual KOM rankings. Bou takes over the lead from Seixas, who had led by setting the fastest time at the top of the climb during yesterday’s time trial:<\/p>\n

1 Bou 6 points<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2 Mintegi 4 points<\/p>\n

3 Seixas 3 points<\/p>\n

4 Fajardo 2 points<\/p>\n

5 Mollema 2 points<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:24:16.371Z<\/p>\n

Incidentally, Joan Bou was the first rider to the summit of the Alto de Etxauri, meaning he leads the virtual mountains classification with 6 points. Mintegi took 4 points by being second, and Fajardo 2 points in third.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:18:12.170Z<\/p>\n

It\u2019s another warm, sunny day in the Basque Country, with no threat of any rain.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:16:51.821Z
\n140KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The breakaway has a healthy lead of 2:35, as they reach the bottom of the descent.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:14:48.680Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"LEKUNBERRI,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:10:20.550Z<\/p>\n

At last, Armirail and Garc\u00eda Pierna have made the juncture on the descent. We have a new leading group of seven.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:04:03.696Z
\nKOM – ALTO DE ETXAURI <\/p>\n

The leaders are descending having crested the climb, the two chasers trailing by about 30 seconds, and the peloton by over two and a half minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T12:02:14.627Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"LEKUNBERRI,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:59:14.065Z
\n150KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The two still chasers still have to catch up to the leaders, however. As they near the summit of the climb, they’re still 45 seconds behind.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:57:44.885Z<\/p>\n

The time gap between the peloton and the leaders is now being reported at a much bigger distant, to over two minutes. That suggests the peloton is happy to let both the leaders and the chasers get up the road.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:54:43.850Z<\/p>\n

As a result, the leading five’s advantage has been reduced too, down from about 1:30 to 50 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:54:15.616Z<\/p>\n

The peloton appear less happy to let this pair go. They’ve upped the pace and are keeping them at just five seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:51:26.005Z<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t done yet. Two riders have jumped out of the peloton hoping to catch up to the leaders, and they\u2019re a strong pair – Bruno Armirail and Ra\u00fal Garc\u00eda Pierna.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:50:21.033Z<\/p>\n

The riders making their way through the streets of Pamplona at the start, more famous for bulls roaming through it than hoards of cyclists.<\/p>\n

\n

\"PAMPLONA-IRUNA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:45:24.114Z<\/p>\n

Fajardo has made the junction. With the peloton seemingly happy about the personnel in this group, they’re not having to ride this climb too hard.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:44:00.503Z<\/p>\n

The break is growing its lead on the climb, up to 1:20. Fajardo is still chasing behind, with 10 seconds to make up.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:40:42.254Z<\/p>\n

As they start the climb, the leading four have built a big lead already, of almost a minute. Unless more riders want to use the climb to get into the break, this could be the day\u2019s break formed.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:38:12.186Z<\/p>\n

Adri\u00e1n Fajardo is chasing that quartet trying to join them.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:37:14.337Z<\/p>\n

Four new riders have attacked – Hayter, Van den Broeck, Mintegi and Bou.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:36:33.027Z<\/p>\n

The stage begins with a few kilometres of flat, but very soon they\u2019ll be climbing, up the category two Alto de Etxauri (6.6km at 6.6%). That will shape the kind of riders who will be able to get into the break today – put simply, they have to be good at climbing.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:34:10.672Z<\/p>\n

Four riders have attacked already, but all brought back.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:33:06.507Z
\nOFFICIAL START<\/p>\n

And they’re off!<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:32:19.876Z<\/p>\n

\n

\"PAMPLONA-IRUNA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:26:23.716Z<\/p>\n

Paul Seixas in the yellow jersey this morning before the start.<\/p>\n

\n

\"PAMPLONA-IRUNA,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:23:04.883Z<\/p>\n

The riders are moving through the neutralised section in Pamplona. Not long before they\u2019ll see the flag.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:18:47.227Z<\/p>\n

To catch up with everything that happened during yesterday\u2019s stage, have a read of our full race report.<\/p>\n

Itzulia Basque Country: Paul Seixas pours on the power to win individual time trial opener and claim leader’s jersey<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:13:30.695Z<\/p>\n

There will, therefore, be no time for Paul Seixas to enjoy a simple day on his first day wearing the overall leader\u2019s jersey. As impressive as he was in yesterday\u2019s time trial, this will be a new test for him as he learns more and more about racing at World Tour level.<\/p>\n

\n

\"BILBAO,\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Getty Images)
\n<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:06:13.969Z<\/p>\n

Averaging 7.8% for 9.4km, the San Miguel de Aralar is certainly hard enough to cause time gaps, even if there is some distance between its summit to the finish at Lekunberri.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T11:04:00.846Z<\/p>\n

The final climb will be San Miguel de Aralar, crested just under 20km from the finish. It\u2019s new to Itzulia Basque Country, but did feature at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a in 2020<\/a>, when Marc Soler attacked out of a small group of favourites on the descent to solo to victory.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T10:59:13.307Z<\/p>\n

This second stage of Itzulia Basque Country is no simple transition to ease the riders back into road racing following yesterday\u2019s time trial opener. Instead, this is a tough day in the Basque hills, featuring a category one climb towards the finish that will draw the GC contenders out into a fight.<\/p>\n

2026-04-07T10:52:18.685Z<\/p>\n

Hello and welcome to stage two of Itzulia Basque Country!<\/p>\n

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Logout<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Refresh 2026-04-07T15:29:19.338Z Lipowitz and Skjelmose are playing mind games, dropping right to the back of the group and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":591492,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[569],"tags":[64,63,784,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-591491","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-cycling","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/591491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=591491"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/591491\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/591492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=591491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=591491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=591491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}