{"id":598174,"date":"2026-04-10T16:09:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T16:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/598174\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T16:09:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T16:09:19","slug":"at-it-happened-action-packed-queen-stage-of-the-itzulia-basque-country-decided-by-two-up-sprint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/598174\/","title":{"rendered":"At it happened: Action-packed queen stage of the Itzulia Basque Country decided by two-up sprint"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-04-10T16:02:48.026Z<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what Seixas had to say in his post-victory interview:<\/p>\n

“That was a hard stage. I said this morning that I wanted to maybe win it, and today the boys did a great job to control all day long. Sometimes other teams wanted to attack but we countered that back and we were always there. That’s incredible and in the end they paced me well.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

“I tried to go all-out in the climb but I was struggling a bit, I don’t know why, but I had the feeling that I couldn’t go all-in, maybe it was because of the day, of course it was a hard stage today. Then I felt the legs coming back after the downhill.<\/p>\n

“With Florian we rode well until the finish, he was really strong today, and also the other guys. Today was a close battle. Chapeau to everyone, it was a really hard day and I’m happy to win for the team.”<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T16:01:25.226Z<\/p>\n

Perhaps aware that Seixas is the quicker sprinter, Lipowitz tried to catch him out by starting his sprint early. But Seixas managed to stick to his wheel, and had plenty left in the tank to pass him in the final metres.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:59:29.306Z<\/p>\n

Remarkably, Seixas now leads all four classifications. This is the kind of dominance we\u2019ve grown used to seeing Tadej Poga\u010dar achieve in recent years.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:57:35.690Z<\/p>\n

Having not won a World Tour race prior to this week, Paul Seixas now has three in the space of just five days. He looked like a super-talent beforehand, but even more so now.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:55:50.062Z<\/p>\n

The story for much of the stage was Seixas’ inability to drop Lipowitz on the final climbs. But it didn’t matter in the end, as he managed to beat him in a sprint anyway.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:54:01.084Z<\/p>\n

Ion Izagirre remains fourth overall, while Baudin, Tejada, Uijtdebroeks, Champoussin, Bilbao and Romo all jump two places each, with Skjelmose and Tulett falling out of the top ten.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:52:19.565Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz didn’t manage to win the stage, but does rise from third to second on GC. That doesn’t do much for his Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe team, however, as the man he leapfrogs is teammate Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:49:50.482Z<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T15:47:33.364Z<\/p>\n

So that’s three stage wins for Paul Seixas at this Itzulia Basque Country. The teenager might have looked more human today, but still Florian Lipowitz could not find a way to beat him.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:43:15.321Z<\/p>\n

Vauquelin wins the sprint for fourth in the group behind, about ten seconds later.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:42:49.718Z<\/p>\n

Romo has attacked out of the chase group to take a well-deserved 3rd place, about a minute later.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:42:16.400Z
\nPAUL SEIXAS WINS<\/p>\n

But Seixas manages to come round him in the sprint<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:41:39.248Z<\/p>\n

Still Lipowitz leads<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:41:23.139Z<\/p>\n

Seixas clings to his wheel.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:41:05.063Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz leads as the road narrows and accelerates.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:40:41.886Z
\n1KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Under the flamme rouge!<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:40:14.968Z<\/p>\n

There’s no impotus in the chase behind. They’re now almost a minute down.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:38:55.975Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz is taking a turn now though, as they near the final 2km.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:38:06.345Z<\/p>\n

Normally you\u2019d back Seixas in a two-up sprint, but will Lipowitz be the fresher man having sat on his wheel for so much?<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:36:38.871Z
\n5KM TO GO<\/p>\n

35 seconds is the gap between the leaders and the chase group, who are looking at each other rather than chasing. It looks like we’ll have a two-up sprint.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:35:46.221Z<\/p>\n

Behind, Rogli\u010d and Romo have been caught by the chase group.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:35:19.606Z<\/p>\n

If they keep working like this, they should make it to the finish together.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:34:53.381Z<\/p>\n

Seixas looks for Lipowitz to take a turn, and the German duly obliges.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:34:10.819Z<\/p>\n

The leading duo reach the bottom of the descent, and now begin a draggy final 6km to the finish line.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:32:59.693Z<\/p>\n

Seixas is throwing himself down this descent, but Lipowitz is sticking to his wheel.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:32:07.245Z<\/p>\n

Tobias Halland Johannessen had to break at one of the corners of this descent, and has been dropped from the chase group as a result.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:31:30.550Z
\n10KM TO GO<\/p>\n

As they near the finish, Seixas and Lipowitz lead Rogli\u010d and Romo by about 40 seconds, and the following group by about 50 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:30:28.679Z<\/p>\n

By taking the points, Seixas also leads the virtual montains classification now. At this rate, he could be on the podium for all four jerseys this evening.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:29:46.347Z<\/p>\n

Remember tha Seixas dropped most of the peloton, including Lipowitz, on a descent yesterday.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:29:11.733Z<\/p>\n

The chasing duo reach the top 37 seconds later.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:28:45.936Z
\nKOM – URKAREGI <\/p>\n

Seixas takes the points at the top, but has Lipowitz still glued to his wheel. Unless something happens on this descent, it looks like we’re going to have a two-up sprint.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:26:39.214Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz is no longer taking any turns, as they near the summit.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:25:29.158Z<\/p>\n

The leading duo are 1km from the summit.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:24:40.168Z<\/p>\n

Rogli\u010d and Romo are still 30 seconds behind, while the chase group behind is drifting further back on this climb, to 55 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:23:06.521Z<\/p>\n

Now Lipowitz comes through to take a turn for Seixas .<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:22:11.587Z<\/p>\n

Still Seixas, yet still Lipowitz sticks to his wheel. The Frenchman has looked a little more human than in previous stages.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:21:06.999Z<\/p>\n

Baudin attacks out of that chase group, but can’t go clear.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:20:43.410Z<\/p>\n

Seixas and Lipowitz are have begun the final climb, 25 seconds up on Rogli\u010d and Romo, and 48 seconds up on the 8-man chase.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:19:44.213Z<\/p>\n

There are 8 riders in the chase behind – Tejada, Champoussin, Baudin, Izagirre, Bilbao, Vauquelin, Tobias Johannessen and Uijtdebroeks.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:17:31.925Z<\/p>\n

Rogli\u010d is about to catch Romo.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:16:40.357Z<\/p>\n

They\u2019re descending to the foot of the final climb, Urkaregi. This one\u2019s a lot gentler than the previous one, averaging just 4.3% for 5.3km. If Lipowitz could stick to Seixas on the 10% slopes of the previous climb, he should be able to do so on this one too.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:16:27.702Z
\n20KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The two leaders have 10 seconds on Romo, and about 30 seconds on another chase group featuring Baudin and Izagirre, with Rogli\u010d somewhere in between.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:12:57.259Z<\/p>\n

Romo has got himself back to just 10 seconds behind the two leaders.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:10:46.710Z<\/p>\n

Romo got himself back up quickly and was third to the top, with Rogli\u010d fourth.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:10:18.974Z
\nKOM – ALTO DE IZUA<\/p>\n

Moments later Seixas and Lipowitz crest the climb together.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:09:29.459Z<\/p>\n

Romo crashed just as he made the catch touching wheel with Lipowitz ahead of him!<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:08:07.772Z<\/p>\n

Romo is on a blinder! He’s about to catch the leadind duo.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:06:33.356Z<\/p>\n

Javier Romo has emerged from behind to latch onto the wheel of Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:05:58.236Z<\/p>\n

1km from the summit, Seixas continues to do all the work, with Lipowitz hanging on to his wheel and Rogli\u010d not making any inroads.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:04:10.968Z<\/p>\n

Rogli\u010d is eight seconds beind the leading duo.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:03:17.943Z<\/p>\n

With Rogli\u010d chasing, Lipowitz is staying glued to Seixas’ wheel without taking a turn.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:02:37.094Z<\/p>\n

Rogli\u010d has dropped Izagirre and is bridging up to the two leaders.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:02:09.759Z<\/p>\n

Seixas does a tentative dig, but Lipowitz is equal to it.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:01:24.696Z<\/p>\n

Those two have gone clear form the rest.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:01:10.181Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz attacks, but Seixas follows!<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:00:51.363Z<\/p>\n

Rogli\u010d is looking confidant, and does a brief turn before Seixas takes over again.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T15:00:23.033Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz, Roglic and Izagirre are the only riders left with Seixas!<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:59:49.057Z<\/p>\n

Seixas is thinning the group out, and catches Healy.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:59:31.248Z<\/p>\n

Prodhomme and Riccitello are done, leaving Seixas to set the pace at the front himself.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:58:56.819Z<\/p>\n

Soler has been caught by the chasers.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:58:43.069Z<\/p>\n

Many of the riders from the original break are being dropped out of the chase group.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:58:19.172Z<\/p>\n

Healy attacks Soler on the climb, and drops him.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:57:59.620Z<\/p>\n

30 seconds behind, the chase group also begin the climb, with Prodhomme and Riccitello leading out Seixas.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:57:16.628Z<\/p>\n

Soler and Healy are on the climb now!<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:55:45.875Z<\/p>\n

Prodhomme is leading the chase group. Everyone is awaiting an attack from his team leader Seixas on this climb.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:53:57.703Z<\/p>\n

Soler and Healy both have big engines and are working well together to preserve their lead of about half a minute, but things are about to get much harder for them.<\/p>\n

The upcoming Alto de Izua is a brute of a climb, averaging just short of 10% relentlessly for 3km. This is going to cause carnage, and the cream will surely rise to the top from the group of favourites behind.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:50:50.729Z<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T14:48:24.143Z<\/p>\n

There are 20 or so riders in the yellow jersey group, including all of the GC top ten apart from Skjelmose and Tulett.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:44:08.173Z
\n40KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Soler and Healy are retaining their lead over the yellow jersey group, keeping it at about 35 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:43:17.097Z<\/p>\n

The upcoming kilometres are rolling, with various steep ramps, before they arrive at the foot of the day\u2019s penultimate climb, Alto de Izua (3.6km at 9.9%).<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:41:27.120Z<\/p>\n

There have been many KOM points awarded today over the many different summits. Here\u2019s what the virtual classification looks like as a result:<\/p>\n

1 Bou 22<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2 Anders Johannessen 19<\/p>\n

3 Seixas 19<\/p>\n

4 Soler 15<\/p>\n

5 Arrieta 13<\/p>\n

6 Vauquelin 11<\/p>\n

7 Tobias Johannessen 10<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:39:31.886Z
\nKOM – TRABAKUA <\/p>\n

Soler crests the climb first ahead of Healy, Prodhomme leading the chasers about 30 seconds behind.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:36:09.467Z<\/p>\n

Soler and Healy going well, increasing their lead to 30 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:34:04.022Z<\/p>\n

The riders are climbing up the latest climb, the 3.4km, 6.8% Trabakua.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:32:23.101Z<\/p>\n

A group containing Skjelmose and Tulett have been well distenced. They’re over two minutes behind the yellow jersey, and are set to tumble down the GC rankings.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:29:21.837Z<\/p>\n

Soler attacks, yet again, and this time has Healy go with him.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:29:05.219Z<\/p>\n

This lead group is a mixture of GC riders like Seixas, Lipowitz, Rogli\u010d and Izagirre, plus some who were in the original day\u2019s break, like Vauquelin, Healy, Scaroni and Soler.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:27:02.614Z<\/p>\n

This lead group has grown some more – and Rogli\u010d has managed to make his way back on into it.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:22:09.898Z<\/p>\n

Soler has been caught and is back in the yellow jersey group.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:21:51.967Z<\/p>\n

Now Aranburu takes over, working for Cofidis teammate Izagirre.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:21:20.325Z<\/p>\n

Prodhomme is setting the pace in this group, as Seixas sole Decathlon teammate present.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:20:29.507Z<\/p>\n

GC riders Rogli\u010d and Izagirre have made it into this yellow jersey group, but missing are the men who were 5th and 6th on GC, Skjelmose and Tulett.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:19:03.367Z<\/p>\n

Soler tries another attack out of this group, as they reach the bottom of the descent.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:16:59.517Z<\/p>\n

Almost immediately after the catch is made, Lipowitz attacks. Seixas is alert and on his wheel, though, along with a teammate.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:16:01.611Z<\/p>\n

Vauquelin has been caught by the 11-man chase group, which features Seixas and Lipowitz.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:15:22.319Z
\n60KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Vauquelin only leads by a few second, over Soler, Bilbao, and a handful of other chasers who have joined, including Seixas.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:14:16.757Z<\/p>\n

Lipowitz attacking on the climb earlier, unable to drop Seixas.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T14:11:49.971Z<\/p>\n

Bilbao also made it into that group, and has attacked out of it to join Soler.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:10:07.908Z<\/p>\n

This chase group has gotten bigger on the descent – there are now 19 riders in it.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:09:42.132Z<\/p>\n

Soler has attaced the chase group on the descent.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:07:08.911Z<\/p>\n

Fortunato and Scaroni join the yellow jersey chase group, as they begin the descent.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:06:18.524Z
\nKOM – KRABELIN <\/p>\n

Vauquelin crests the climb still out front alone.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:05:42.634Z<\/p>\n

Baudin also managed to break out of the peloton to join the yellow jersey group, so there are three men in the GC top ten present in it.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:04:43.714Z<\/p>\n

Vauquelin is 20 seconds ahead of the yellow jersey group.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:03:20.670Z<\/p>\n

There are a few more riders with the Decathlon duo – Lipowitz, Soler, Healy, Baudin, Leonard, Aranburu and Ruiz.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:02:02.256Z<\/p>\n

Seixas has teammate Prodhomme with him, and he’s setting the pace.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T14:00:01.463Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer must have been caught earlier.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:59:44.580Z<\/p>\n

K\u00e9vin Vauquelin attacks out of that front group, and now leads alone.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:59:19.360Z<\/p>\n

It seems there’s only one group of four ahead of Seixas and Lipowitz.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:57:03.400Z<\/p>\n

The chasing group is breaking up, and Lipowitz and Seixas are catching some of them.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:56:20.516Z<\/p>\n

Seixas has grabbed onto his wheel, but everyone else is gapped for now.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:55:57.130Z
\nATTACK – FLORIAN LIPOWITZ<\/p>\n

Lipowitz makes a move! This is a bold one so far from the finish.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:55:09.336Z<\/p>\n

Kruijswijk and Veistroffer together, before the latter went clear on the climb.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T13:52:58.361Z<\/p>\n

And in the peloton, it’s Decathlon who are setting the pace. This could be a sign that Seixas is hungry for yet another stage win.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:52:05.750Z<\/p>\n

In the chase behind, Uno-X is setting the pace.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:51:23.398Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer has one clear of Kruijswijk.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:49:29.887Z<\/p>\n

The road ramps up, as the leading duo hit the climb!<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:49:06.538Z<\/p>\n

Bahrain Victorious are motoring at the front of the peloton. They’re less than a minute away from the chasers.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:46:32.189Z<\/p>\n

Paul Seixas in the yellow jersey, surrounded by his Decathlon teammates.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T13:44:32.692Z<\/p>\n

The split that opened up in the chase group has been closed again, and they’re all back together.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:42:53.285Z<\/p>\n

This is an important phase of the race, as the hardest climb of the day is just 5km away.<\/p>\n

The Krabelin is 5km, but its real difficulty lies in its gradient, which averages an aching 9.4%. We’re still a long way from the finish, but the race could ignite on its slopes.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:40:46.981Z<\/p>\n

There’s been a split in the chase group, with about 10 clipping clear from the rest.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:39:36.199Z
\n80KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Kruijswijk and Veistroffer lead by one minute, with the peloton three minutes down. The leaders are paying for their efforts for having gone so early.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:35:53.591Z<\/p>\n

The chase have got their act together some more, and are bringing the gap down again. It\u2019s down from two minutes to just over one minute.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:33:18.443Z
\nKOM – ALTO DE KALBARIO <\/p>\n

Kruijswijk took the points over the summit ahead of Veistroffer, while Johannessen led the chase over for third<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:31:28.625Z<\/p>\n

Once again its Bahrain Victorious who are setting the pace in the peloton, doing the work having missed the break again.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:26:32.246Z<\/p>\n

Kruijswijk and Veistroffer continue to grow their lead, which is now two minutes on the chasers, and although the peloton has clawed a little back on them, bringing them to 4:30.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:25:03.353Z<\/p>\n

The riders are approaching the latest climb on the menu, the Alto de Kalbario. At 2.4km long it’s one of the easier ones tackled today, but has a steep average of 7.5%.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:23:41.046Z<\/p>\n

The chase group.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T13:18:25.920Z
\n100KM TO GO<\/p>\n

So the situation after just over two hours of racing is that we have two leaders out front, Steven Kruijswijk and Baptiste Veistroffer, who lead a large group of chasers by 1:45, and the peloton by five minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:16:03.842Z<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T13:11:20.975Z<\/p>\n

The chasing group is someway behind, too, at 1:45.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:10:43.751Z<\/p>\n

Kruijswijk has company at the front of the race – he’s just been joined by Veistroffer.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:10:11.525Z<\/p>\n

Michael Leonard and Anders Halland Johannessen are both also present in the large chasing group.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:07:36.925Z<\/p>\n

It seems there are a few riders we missed from the run-down of everyone in the break – including the indefatigable Baptiste Veistroffer, who has attacked out of it in pursuit of Kruijswijk.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T13:05:50.361Z<\/p>\n

The breakaway group up the road.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T13:00:34.634Z
\n110KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Kruijswijk is on a mission. He leads the chasers by 1:20, who are themselves still 3:30 up on the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:57:15.176Z<\/p>\n

The group of seven that had gone clear are now back in the peloton – apart from Kruijswijk, who now leads the race by himself.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:55:04.528Z<\/p>\n

Yesterday’s winner Aranburu, in the break once again today.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T12:49:48.073Z
\n120KM TO GO<\/p>\n

This lead group of seven contines to grow its gap on the peloton on the descent, now 4:30 ahead.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:48:50.530Z<\/p>\n

Steven Kruijswijk has bridged up to the 6 leaders.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:45:35.305Z
\nKOM – ETUMETA <\/p>\n

Aranburu, Fortunato, L\u00f3pez, Garc\u00eda Pierna, Beloki and Ruiz crest the top of the climb together, ahead of the chasing group.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:38:50.371Z
\n130KM TO GO<\/p>\n

The peloton remains far adrift, at over four minutes.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:36:42.749Z<\/p>\n

Aranburu, Fortunato, L\u00f3pez, Garc\u00eda Pierna, Beloki and Ruiz have gone clear and opened up a little gap over the rest.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:35:31.369Z<\/p>\n

Some riders in the break aren\u2019t content with the group being this big. They\u2019ve attacked on the lower slopes of the climb.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:33:01.673Z<\/p>\n

There are also no Lidl-Trek riders in the group. You thought they might target breakaways now that Ayuso is out for good, but they do have a GC contender to defend in Skjelmose, who is fifth on GC.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:31:24.903Z<\/p>\n

As for the teams that missed the move, Bahrain Victorious are notable by their absence. They missed the move yesterday as well, and spent much of the day chasing to try to bring that day\u2019s break – to no avail. To do so twice in two days feels complacent.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:28:20.353Z<\/p>\n

Those riders are about to take on the third climb of the day, the Etumeta (4.7km at 7.1%).<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:26:35.820Z<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T12:24:15.225Z<\/p>\n

Here is the 27-man break in full:<\/p>\n

Guillaume Martin, Cl\u00e9ment Braz Afonso, Quentin Pacher (all Groupama-FDJ United), Steven Kruijswijk, Tijmen Graat, Menno Huising (all Visma-Lease a Bike), Marc Soler, Adri\u00e0 Pericas (both UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Lorenzo Fortunato, Christian Scaroni (both XDS Astana), Mauri Vansevenant, Steff Cras (both Soudal-QuickStep), Ben Healy, Markel Beloki (EF Education-EasyPost), Juan Pedro L\u00f3pez, Ra\u00fal Garc\u00eda Pierna (both Movistar), Mattia Gaffuri, Juan Guillermo Martinez (both Picnic-PostNL), K\u00e9vin Vauquelin (Ineos Grenadiers), Alex Aranburu (Cofidis), Hugo Houle (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Nicolas Prodhomme (Decathlon CMA CGM), Haimar Etxeberria (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe), Andreas Kron (Uno-X Mobility), Ibon Ruiz (Equipo Kern Pharma), Samuel Fern\u00e1ndez (Caja Rural – Seguros RGA) and Mikel Bizkarra (Euskaltel – Euskadi)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:14:28.708Z<\/p>\n

The break’s grown their lead more, to over four minutes. It’s going to be a big challenge for the peloton to bring them back.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:10:45.471Z<\/p>\n

Of the riders in the break, it seems that Guillaume Martin is the highest on GC in 16th at 4:38.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:09:15.604Z<\/p>\n

In fact, this group consists of many of the men who were most prominent in yesterday’s break. We’ll bring a full list to you shortly.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:07:52.481Z<\/p>\n

Some of the most eye-catching names in the breakaway group include – Ben Healy, Marc Soler, Fortunato, Scaroni, Martin and yesterday\u2019s winner Aranburu.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:03:25.050Z<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T12:02:00.776Z
\n150KM TO GO<\/p>\n

And it appears that this will be the break of the day. The peloton has sat up, and allowed them a lead of about three minutes already.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:01:18.391Z<\/p>\n

It’s a large group that’s caught Veistroffer, of over 30 riders it seems.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T12:00:27.402Z<\/p>\n

It’s all change in the race, as Veistroffer has been joined by a group of riders.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:59:07.915Z<\/p>\n

After a flying start to life at Lidl-Trek with overall victory at Volta ao Algarve, Itzulia Basque Country follows Paris-Nice as the second consecutive stage race the Spaniard has pulled out of. That attracted criticism in some quarters, but his lead defended the decision as the right move to look after his fitness ahead of the coming Ardennes Classics.<\/p>\n

‘Don’t invent stories where there aren’t any’ \u2013 Lidl-Trek teammate defends Juan Ayuso after social media criticism over Basque Country withdrawal<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:53:38.725Z<\/p>\n

One rider missing today is Juan Ayuso, who abandoned the race yesterday. He later confirmed that he had been suffering from stomach problems.<\/p>\n

‘It’s been a few tough days’ – Juan Ayuso abandons Itzulia Basque Country before chance to climb out of large GC deficit<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:51:28.422Z
\nKOM – AZURKI <\/p>\n

Veistroffer’s still out in front alone, as he goes over the second climb of the day. At this rate he could find himself in a similar situation to Brandon McNulty yesterday, who spent a large portion of the day leading the race alone, before eventually burning out to finish almost 20 minutes down.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:42:26.984Z<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T11:37:42.854Z
\n160KM TO GO<\/p>\n

They’re on the climb now, with Veistroffer leading the race by just less than one minute.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:35:17.362Z<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a subdued start so far, but that should be about to change as they ride a short plateau to the foot of the first category one climb of the day, the 5.7km Azurki, which averages a tough 7.7%.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:33:52.580Z
\nKOM – ELKORRIETA <\/p>\n

Veistroffer leads the race over the climb, to take the KOM points.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:32:49.376Z<\/p>\n

Baptiste Veistroffer, leading the race<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T11:31:32.390Z<\/p>\n

Both Fern\u00e1ndez and Thompson have been caught, but Veistroffer remains out there alone.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:30:02.175Z<\/p>\n

The peloton were treated to the unusual spectacle of a local traditional \u2018Aurresku\u2019 performance before the start of the stage today.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T11:27:23.908Z<\/p>\n

Reuben Thompson also attacks out of the peloton, and is now third on the road.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:25:29.468Z<\/p>\n

Veistroffer has a lead of a minute over the peloton already, and 30 seconds over the chaser Fern\u00e1ndez. That will likely change as they start climbing in a few kilometres.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:23:27.441Z<\/p>\n

The first 10km of this stage are flat, but then the climbing starts with the category three Elkorrieta, and barely relented for the remainder of the day.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:21:11.306Z<\/p>\n

Sinuh\u00e9 Fern\u00e1ndez is in pursuit of Veistroffer.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:20:14.844Z<\/p>\n

Baptiste Veistroffer, who was very busy during the first phase of yesterday’s stage, is the first to get a small gap today.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:19:00.368Z<\/p>\n

If yesterday’s stage is anything to go by, this will be a long, competitive battle to form the day’s break.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:15:39.838Z<\/p>\n

The scene at the start.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T11:12:15.999Z
\nOFFICIAL START<\/p>\n

And they’re off!<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:07:27.513Z<\/p>\n

The weather continues to smile on the riders, treating them to blue skies and a temperature of over 20 degrees.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:06:20.149Z<\/p>\n

The winner of stage three, Axel Laurance, has not made it to the start this morning. He’s pulled out of the race.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:02:49.296Z<\/p>\n

The riders are making their way though the neutralised zone as we speak.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T11:00:53.174Z<\/p>\n

Paul Seixas in yellow with his Decathlon CMA CGM team at the start today.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T10:58:19.659Z<\/p>\n

There was a lot to unpack from yesterday’s hectic stage. Have a read of our report for the full lowdown.<\/p>\n

Itzulia Basque Country: Alex Aranburu blasts ahead of Tobias Halland Johannessen on final uphill section for stage 4 win<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T10:50:46.375Z<\/p>\n

The scene at the start today in Eibar, during the team presentation.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-10T10:48:19.140Z<\/p>\n

Of course, there is one obvious way Seixas can be beaten – by riders in the break. There was huge interest in getting into the break yesterday, with the battle raging for hours and a massive group of over 30 eventually getting clear, and we should expect something similar today. Whether or not the catch is made may well depend on Seixas\u2019 appetite for another stage win.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T10:45:58.033Z<\/p>\n

Based on the way this race has gone so far, it\u2019s the kind of parcours that makes Paul Seixas hot favourite for the stage win. He\u2019s been in a league of his own so far this race on the climbs, and even gained time yesterday on the descent, and if this stage is to be as selective as it looks, it\u2019s hard to see how anybody can beat him in a mano y mano fight.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T10:41:45.690Z<\/p>\n

This is the day that the organisers have deemed the Queen Stage of the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country, and it\u2019s easy to see why. In total there are eight classified climbs, and a total of 3,814m elevation gain, including two particularly steep category one climbs in the second half of the stage.<\/p>\n

2026-04-10T10:37:12.072Z<\/p>\n

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

Please follow our community guidelines<\/a>.” data-join-the-conversation-text=”Join the Conversation”><\/p>\n

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