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2026-04-08T15:59:44.485Z<\/p>\n
Thanks for joining us today, for a stage won by one of the men we might have expected to be up there in a bunch sprint, but via a breakaway instead.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow\u2019s parcours might be a little too demanding for Axel Laurance to double-up and take another victory, but like many stages at this race, it\u2019s unpredictable, featuring lots of climbs but not a single stand-out one. It promises to be exciting from start and finish, so be sure to return again for more live coverage!<\/p>\n
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(Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-08T15:51:53.555Z<\/p>\n One of the big stories of the day was the abandonment of Isaac Del Toro. Here\u2019s more information on what happened to the Mexican.<\/p>\n Isaac del Toro abandons Itzulia Basque Country after crash early on stage 3<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:49:24.307Z<\/p>\n Paul Seixas leading the peloton over the finish line.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:44:39.223Z<\/p>\n Meanwhile Markel Beloki will wear the white young riders’ jersey tomorrow, also on loan from Seixas.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:42:11.544Z<\/p>\n Joan Bou picked up enough KOM points during the day to retain his lead in that classification, although he’s only 5 points ahead of Igor Arrieta, who picked up 13 points today.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:41:01.287Z<\/p>\n Laurance will wear the green points jersey tomorrow, on loan from Seixas, who remains in yellow.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:38:57.364Z<\/p>\n Laurance’s win also continues what has been a prolific start to the season for Ineos Grenadiers. They’ve now claimed 16 victories – only UAE have more.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:34:24.737Z<\/p>\n All the GC riders appear to have finished in the bunch together, so there is no change to the top 10 – apart from that absence from it of Del Toro, following his abandon.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:32:19.999Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:31:14.182Z<\/p>\n It would have been a second career with for Arrieta, but didn’t have the legs in the sprint. He went very early in the sprint – perhaps too early, as Laurance was able to sit on his wheel for a long time before sprinting past him at the line.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:30:07.521Z<\/p>\n This is a big win for Axel Laurance, his fourth of the season, and first at World Tour level. In fact, it’s only the second win of his career at this level, following his success at Volta a Catalunya two years ago.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:26:51.919Z<\/p>\n In the chase group behind Laurance and Arrieta, Tesfatsion took third, ahead of Van Wilder in fourth and Johannessen in fifth.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:25:46.484Z<\/p>\n Paul Seixas leads the peloton and wins the sprint to the line, but there are no time gaps opened up.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:24:57.130Z<\/p>\n Now here comes the peloton to the finish, will there be any moves?<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:24:16.141Z …and outsprints him for victory!<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:23:40.241Z<\/p>\n Laurance makes his move…<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:23:23.073Z<\/p>\n Laurance is on his wheel…<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:23:12.748Z<\/p>\n Arrieta makes his move, just over 300m from the line!<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:22:50.281Z<\/p>\n Still it’s Laurance who leads.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:22:26.787Z<\/p>\n They’re looking at each other, and slowed down – could that bring the chasers back into contention?<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:22:00.821Z<\/p>\n Laurance is leading Arrieta.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:21:45.805Z The two leaders are on the final uphill!<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:21:22.896Z<\/p>\n Martin attacks from the chase, and has gone clear with Johannessen and Van Wilder.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:20:48.811Z<\/p>\n The chase have brought back the two leaders a bit, and are 35 seconds behind, but that’s surely too little too late.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:20:15.175Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:18:44.076Z<\/p>\n Despite Laurance’s attack earlier, he and Arrieta are stil working well together.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:18:11.352Z<\/p>\n Behind, Lidl is leading the peloton. Is Skjelmose hoping to gain some time on the short uphill to the finish?<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:17:31.207Z<\/p>\n That\u2019s an interesting move by Laurance, seeing as he\u2019d be the favourite in a two-up sprint.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:17:00.525Z<\/p>\n He opened up a bike length or two, but Arrieta is back with him.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:16:42.354Z<\/p>\n Laurance accelerates over the top!<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:16:24.609Z Arrieta and Laurance are still together, and are about to reach the top of the second summit in quick succession, before embarking on the descent.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:14:20.066Z<\/p>\n There’s no sign of any GC moves on this climb. In fact, the pace in the peloton is slow enough for Caja Rural’s Alex Molenaar to jump clear out of it.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:12:05.198Z<\/p>\n Johannessen is expressing his frustration at the rest of the group for not chasing, gesturing with his arms. He doesn\u2019t look happy.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:11:13.903Z<\/p>\n The two leaders up the road.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:10:11.825Z<\/p>\n Now the chase start the climb, 1:18 later.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:09:57.161Z<\/p>\n Arrieta led up the climb initially, but now Laurance has taken over. No sign of either making an attack.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:08:40.600Z<\/p>\n That pair is approaching the uphill now. Will either of them try an attack?<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:08:00.298Z<\/p>\n So it appears only two riders can win this stage – Igor Arrieta, and Axel Laurance.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:07:19.011Z There’s no impotus at all in the chase. They’re not working especially well together, and have seen the defecit grown to 1:15.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:04:07.057Z<\/p>\n There are nine riders in the chase group: Van Wilder, Fortunato, Braz Afonso, Martin, Johannessen, Van der Lee, Shaw, Tesfatsion and Thompson.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:02:50.182Z<\/p>\n The first chase group is drifting further away, now at 50 seconds. It seems unlikely they’ll make the catch.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T15:01:27.944Z<\/p>\n So if this does come down to a two-up sprint, who’s going to take the win? Laurance certainly has the most pedigree, having won large group sprints before, but the 23-year-old Arrieta is a big talent who could cause a surprise.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:59:18.871Z<\/p>\n One thing\u2019s for sure, the peloton has given up the ghost. They\u2019re almost three minutes down now.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:55:52.001Z This is looking good for Arrieta and Laurance, who are working well together and are 30 seconds up on the chasers. The terrain has gotten easier, too, with a long shallow descent taking them to a couple of small unclassified uphills before the finish.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:53:46.289Z<\/p>\n It’s been a hot day out there in the Basque Country.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:52:33.020Z<\/p>\n The peloton reeach the top, but about 2 minutes behind. It’s looking less and less likely that they will make the catch.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:51:54.327Z Arrieta and Laurance crest the climb together, with a lead of about 20 seconds on the chasers.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:50:36.843Z<\/p>\n The pace in the peloton is slow enough on this climb for Adri\u00e0 Pericas and Gal Glivar to escape out of it with an attack.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:47:17.219Z<\/p>\n That pair lead the race as they climb up the final classified climb of the day, which averages 56% for 2km.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:46:01.980Z<\/p>\n Laurance and Arrieta have clipped off the front of the lead group, and now lead the race.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:45:09.144Z<\/p>\n Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! Find out more.<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:43:36.581Z<\/p>\n A Decathlon teammate leads Seixas over the top of the climb, about 1:30 after the break.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:41:50.113Z<\/p>\n Arrieta took 6 riders with him over the top of the climb.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:41:04.529Z<\/p>\n Arrieta leads the break as they near the top, and is dropping a few of his companions.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:39:57.440Z<\/p>\n Not among them is Dinham, who was dropped and is being caught by the peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:39:32.412Z<\/p>\n Most of the break has come back together now, as they reach the last kilometre of the climb.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:38:25.160Z<\/p>\n Four or five more riders are coming up to the leading four.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:38:00.679Z<\/p>\n Ayuso has been dropped out of the peloton. He’s struggling yet again.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:36:47.871Z<\/p>\n Van der Lee has company – he’s been joined by Fortunato, Arrieta and Johannessen.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:36:15.750Z<\/p>\n Tudor Pro Cycling become the first team in the peloton to up the pace on this climb and ride at the front.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:34:32.587Z<\/p>\n No team in the peloton is laying it down on this climb, and so the break’s lead is growing, back up to over two minutes.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:33:56.815Z<\/p>\n That five second lead doesn’t look as big as it is, foreshortened as they hit the steep 9% gradients of the final kilometres of the climb.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:33:15.441Z<\/p>\n He has a lead of five seconds.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:32:47.538Z<\/p>\n The break is on the climb, and we have a first attack! Van der Lee has gone clear.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:31:37.445Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s no longer just Cofidis who are pulling at the front of the peloton. Lots of teams are up there, in a bunch all spread out as they ride up the climb.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:29:30.862Z<\/p>\n Cofidis leading the peloton.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:27:11.513Z<\/p>\n The stronger climbers in the breakaway will surely use this climb to try to thin out this group. Look out for Fortunato, Van Wilder, Johannessen and Martin.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:25:39.456Z 1:20 is the gap between the peloton and the break, with 40km to go. This race is set to ignite soon on Alto de Bikotz, coming up in just a few kilometres, which kicks up to a nasty gradient of almost 9% for its final 3km.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:20:57.830Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:19:12.272Z<\/p>\n Still the break’s lead comes slowly down. It’s now at 1:20, as they make their way down a shallow descent.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:18:35.970Z<\/p>\n The men’s Scheldeprijs is nearing its business end. We’re bringing you all the action here.<\/p>\n Scheldeprijs Men LIVE: The sprinters’ teams prepare for a high-speed sprint showdown in Schoten<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:14:50.550Z<\/p>\n The breakaway leading the race.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:13:21.509Z Cofidis are slowly but surely dragging the break back. They have them back to within 1:30.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:06:21.627Z<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:03:10.726Z Cofidis’ work is helping to bring this gap down a little. It’s now at 1:45.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:02:30.052Z<\/p>\n Seixas still had an issue to sort out, and has changed bikes again. But everything is calm out there.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:02:00.240Z<\/p>\n That means the new virtual KOM rankings look like this:<\/p>\n 1 Bou 18 points<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2 Seixas 13<\/p>\n 3 Skjelmose 8<\/p>\n 4 Baudin 6<\/p>\n 5 Mintegi 6<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T14:00:33.939Z<\/p>\n On the Alto de los Heros, King of the Mountains leader Bou added to his advanatage by being first over the climb, ahead of Arrieta and Fortunato.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:58:26.909Z<\/p>\n Cofidis have joined Decathlon in setting the pace at the front of the peloton. They are presumably working for Alex Aranburu, who would be one of the favourites if everything is bright back for a sprint finish.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:55:47.965Z<\/p>\n Seixas is back in the peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:55:05.471Z<\/p>\n If you missed the women\u2019s Scheldeprijs and want to know what happened, have a read of our race report here<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:53:57.803Z<\/p>\n Guti\u00e9rrez’s mission is over, and he’s caught by the peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:53:12.108Z<\/p>\n He’s in the convoy having had to have a bike change.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:52:23.147Z<\/p>\n Paul Seixas is with his team car in the convoy having a drink on this descent, looking very relaxed.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:49:32.971Z Two minutes is the break’s lead over the peloton shortly after they crest the climb, with Jorge Guti\u00e9rrez in between at 1:17.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:46:37.103Z<\/p>\n There’s one other rider still trying to chase on to the break by himself – Jorge Guti\u00e9rrez of the Equipo Kern Pharma team.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:45:47.841Z<\/p>\n Chapeau to the Euskaltel pair of Lastra and Bizkarra, who managed to join the break before the top of the climb.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:45:02.719Z<\/p>\n Decathlon are leading the peloton on the climb, and keeping the gap at about two minutes.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:41:21.733Z<\/p>\n We’re learning that other were involved in that crash, too, including Ben Tulett and Alex Baudin, who were sixth and fifth overall respectivley. Nobody else abandoned, thankfully.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:39:39.028Z<\/p>\n We have a reason for Del Toro’s abandon – he was indeed involved in a crash. It wasn’t too heavy, and he managed to get back on his feet and ten his bike, but was bad enough for him to pull out.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:38:19.377Z<\/p>\n It seems the timing of 50 seconds was not that between the leaders, but rather between them and the two Euskaltel chasers. The break have a comfortable lead after all, of two minutes on the peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:37:14.526Z<\/p>\n Two Euskaltel – Euskadi are in between the break and the peloton – Mikel Bizkarra and Jonathan Lastra. Rather than lead the peloton’s chase, they’re trying to make their own way to the break.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:35:47.323Z<\/p>\n This climb could be important for the strong climbers in the break to up the pace and increase their lead, even if it means dropping those less fast going uphill.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:35:13.386Z<\/p>\n The peloton aren\u2019t happy to give this break much leeway after all! They\u2019ve brought the gap down to 50 seconds. This isn\u2019t looking so good for the break after all.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:33:13.574Z<\/p>\n Having been worn down all day by the undulating terrain, the riders are about to take on the first proper climb – the category two Puerto de la Barrerilla. This one rises for 5km at 6.5%, and the plateau at the top is the highest point of the day.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:29:07.464Z<\/p>\n Del Toro might have been beneath his best in the previous two stages, but he was still decently positioned on GC, in eighth at 2:44.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:27:03.396Z Some big news – pre-race favourite Isaac del Toro has abandoned! It’s unclear whether he was involved in an incident, or just lacking legs \/ fitness, after an under-par day on yesterday’s mountain stage.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:25:33.224Z Euskaltel-Euskadi have missed the break, and they’ve been sent to the front of the bunch, either to amend that, or as punishment. Either way, it seems that the ship has sailed, as the gap is up to 1:40.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:23:48.005Z<\/p>\n A glimpse of the fight in the peloton earlier, before the break formed.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:19:00.239Z<\/p>\n So, the 14 riders who lead the race are:<\/p>\n Axel Laurance<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ilan Van Wilder<\/p>\n Tobias Halland Johannessen<\/p>\n Lorenzo Fortunato<\/p>\n Guillaume Martin<\/p>\n Cl\u00e9ment Braz Afonso<\/p>\n Jardi Christiaan van der Lee<\/p>\n James Shaw<\/p>\n Joan Bou<\/p>\n Matthew Dinham<\/p>\n Reuben Thompson<\/p>\n Natnael Tesfatsion<\/p>\n Sinuh\u00e9 Fern\u00e1ndez<\/p>\n Igor Arrieta<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:17:29.603Z<\/p>\n We’ll bring you a full list of everone who’s in this break shortly.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:15:23.377Z<\/p>\n Almost a minute and a half for the group now. It seems the pelotonhas sat up, and, at long last, the stage has its break of the day.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:14:46.254Z<\/p>\n A few riders managed to bridge up to the group, meaning there are a total of 14 in it now.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:13:56.394Z Things are looking promising for this 14-man group – they have a lead of 45 seconds over the peloton, which must be the highest there’s been all day.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:12:23.220Z<\/p>\n Johannessen is one of 6 riders in this group under 6 minutes down on GC – the others being Van Wilder, Guillaume Martin, Cl\u00e9ment Braz Afonso, Lorenzo Fortunato and Jardi Christiaan van der Lee.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:10:09.675Z<\/p>\n As is Tobias Halland Johannessen, who would have been a contender for the yellow jersey had he not lost over four minutes yesterday.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:08:58.910Z<\/p>\n Fortunato and King of the Mountains Bou are in this new lead group.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:08:25.308Z<\/p>\n Van Wilder and Laurance are part of a large group of 15 that’s gone clear. Will the peloton chase this one down too, or are they at the end of their tether?<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:05:43.643Z<\/p>\n Ilan Van Wilder and Axel Laurance are the latest riders to try a move. The latter comes as a bit of a surprise, as he’d be one of the favourites in a bunch finish.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T13:01:45.991Z<\/p>\n The parcours really is testing at the moment. They\u2019re currently going up another unclassified climb, which averages 5.8% for 2km.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:57:05.108Z Still the attacks keep coming, but still no break has formed. This has been an exhausting start!<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:51:12.223Z<\/p>\n The riders are climbing the Alto de los Heros, which, despite its difficult vital stats of a 5.4% average for 3.3km, has not been classified. Parcours at Itzulia Basque Country are always deceptively tricky, with hidden difficulties like this.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:45:46.483Z<\/p>\n Marc Soler, im typical agressive fashion, was briefly off the front of the race, but has been caught by the front peloton.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:45:00.205Z<\/p>\n The first and second groups have come together, but the third lags behind still.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:44:31.487Z<\/p>\n There are more splits in the peloton, which now appears to be in three different groups.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:40:40.020Z So with the failure of that group to get away, the peloton is all back together again, and still we wait for the definitive break to form.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:37:04.818Z<\/p>\n That group has been caught – it was surely too dangerous to allow up the road.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:36:40.182Z<\/p>\n Ben Healy, Magnus Cort, Quinn Simmons and Steven Kruijswijk are other riders present in this group.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:35:50.288Z<\/p>\n There are some big names too, including Tejada, who is a threat on GC in tenth overall.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:35:16.220Z<\/p>\n We have a development – a large group of eleven riders have joined the two leaders at the front.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:34:10.466Z<\/p>\n There are only 10km left in the women’s Scheldeprijs. You can follow all the action with us here.<\/p>\n Scheldeprijs Women LIVE: The bunch is together after the day’s break was caught early on<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:31:02.714Z Elosegui and Veistroffer are staying out there for now, with a lead of 20 seconds.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:25:08.181Z<\/p>\n The peloton is chasing this one down too, though, their initial lead of 25 seconds having decreased to 15 seconds.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:22:07.502Z<\/p>\n I\u00f1igo Elosegui and, yet again, Baptiste Veistroffer have attacked and have a small lead.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:21:01.153Z<\/p>\n The peloton is all back together again having been split earlier.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:16:19.072Z Over 20km into the stage, and no break has been formed yet.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:10:28.422Z<\/p>\n The race is very much on as attackers try to form a break, and there\u2019s been a split in the bunch.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:09:08.558Z<\/p>\n It\u2019s another warm day out there in the Basque Country, with a temperature of over 20 degrees. So far this race has not been affected by the kind of rain weather familiar from past editions and that this part of the world is renowned for – the tourist board must be grateful, not to mention the riders taking part.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:04:37.285Z<\/p>\n The riders are currently climbing a small unclassified hill, typical of today’s undulating terrain.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:03:35.791Z<\/p>\n And now they’ve been clawed back – the race is all together again.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T12:02:56.615Z The peloton isn’t happy to let these three go, and are chasing them down. They have them back to just ten seconds.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:58:48.148Z<\/p>\n Veistroffer has joined the other two, and they have 30 seconds on the peloton. This is looking promising for them.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:56:25.293Z<\/p>\n Veistroffer is purusuing them, after his initial attempt to go clear failed. He’s clearly in the mood today.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:55:43.060Z<\/p>\n Maxime Decomble and the man in the King of the Mountain’s jersey, Joan Bou, are the latest riders to make a move.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:53:54.944Z<\/p>\n With so many riders no longer a threat on GC, and on a day with parcours that could suit many types of riders, today’s could be a very competetive fight to get into the day\u2019s break.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:52:58.466Z<\/p>\n That duo has been brought back.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:51:07.904Z<\/p>\n Anders Halland Johannessen and Baptiste Veistroffer are on the attack.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:48:27.894Z And they’re off!<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:47:59.970Z<\/p>\n A reminder of what happened at yesterday’s stage.<\/p>\n Itzulia Basque Country: Paul Seixas stuns again with victory in the mountains on stage 2 to create huge GC lead<\/a><\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Getty Images) 2026-04-08T11:38:55.355Z<\/p>\n And in the men\u2019s Scheldeprijs, Tim Merlier is back and hoping to seal a third consecutive title, but is up against quality and in-form opposition in Jasper Philipsen and Dylan Groenewegen.<\/p>\n Scheldeprijs Men LIVE: Tim Merlier is back but so are his big-name sprint rivals<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:36:29.812Z<\/p>\n The cycling world is still deep into classics season, and, away from the Basque Country, two more races are happening today – both of which we have coverage of.<\/p>\n In the women\u2019s Scheldeprijs, many of the world\u2019s sprinters are hoping to capitalise on the absence of Lorena Wiebes to take a big win.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Scheldeprijs Women LIVE: Can anyone prevent a bunch sprint, or will the fast women take the honours again?<\/a><\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:31:50.719Z<\/p>\n 145 riders who are left in the race are on the move, taking off from the unofficial start. We’ll have racing soon!<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:28:42.325Z<\/p>\n The driver of the vehicle who caused Landa\u2019s crash also won\u2019t be here today, after the UCI commissaires expelled them from the race.<\/p>\n Driver of Itzulia Basque Country race doctor’s car expelled from race for causing Mikel Landa stage 2 crash<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:25:35.439Z<\/p>\n Mikel Landa is not here today, having pulled out overnight due to his heavy crash yesterday. Thankfully, his team reported that he did not suffer any fractures or long-term damage, so hopefully it won\u2019t be long before we see him racing again.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:23:08.675Z<\/p>\n There might not be a single climb hard enough to draw the GC contenders out, but the total of 2,824m of climbing throughout the day makes it a testing one that many puncheurs might back themselves to go for the stage win.<\/p>\n 2026-04-08T11:19:13.489Z<\/p>\n Paul Seixas leads the race after a jaw-dropping attack on the final climb yesterday, and it\u2019s difficult to see how his rivals are going to gain the two minutes + they need to gain on him.<\/p>\n Having won the first two stages back-to-back, we expect him to take more of a back seat today – but such is his form that we can\u2019t be sure he\u2019s not hungry for more success.<\/p>\n \n
\n<\/p>\n![\"BASAURI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/KWRdH8ynE7aRynsfKtE8dQ.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"BASAURI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/yL6a77BHc6CAHJNJEN94H7.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\nAXEL LAURANCE WINS<\/p>\n
\n1KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"BASAURI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/zsdhG3TTGDe3ECjiZM3tdM.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n5KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"BASAURI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/UtKttKC8w4u8t3fAjQ4x49.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n10KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\n20KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"BASAURI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/VSZwBq35GWcfGiyVUG9rLa.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\nKOM – SARASOLA<\/p>\n![\"BASAURI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/hpyXRqdW3yYMoV3SnVEgbH.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n40KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"BASAURI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/bxrsQ7gn8zwC27dNTD8bc8.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"BASAURI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/NzWnT8NpBq6EXxaABCh8GF.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n50KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"BASAURI,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/W33KpFatgkJK6psvyaZ5o6.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n60KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\n70KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\nDNF – ISAAC DEL TORO<\/p>\n
\n80KM TO GO<\/p>\n![\"Cyclists](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GYRxh6fhuQkETuHHJB4SR9.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n90KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\n100KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\n110KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\n120KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\n130KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\n140KM TO GO<\/p>\n
\nOFFICIAL START<\/p>\n![\"CUEVAS](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/qGp8xz38Amo9GLRBQXuv9d.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n![\"CUEVAS](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/gw2KYACUTsmFGditeENCbc.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n