{"id":525204,"date":"2026-04-11T13:19:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T13:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/525204\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T13:19:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T13:19:14","slug":"itzulia-basque-country-stage-6-live-the-heavens-open-on-final-stage-of-the-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/525204\/","title":{"rendered":"Itzulia Basque Country stage 6 LIVE – The heavens open on final stage of the race"},"content":{"rendered":"

Refresh <\/p>\n

2026-04-11T13:16:23.249Z
\n100KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Soler, Skjelmose and Healy still lead, with the Uno-X Mobility chase group 1:20 down, and the peloton 3:00 down.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T13:15:29.949Z<\/p>\n

There are about 30 riders in this chase group led by Uno-X Mobility. The highest ranked rider on GC appears to be Tobias Halland Johannessen at 5:39.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T13:14:01.148Z<\/p>\n

The group being led by Uno-X Mobility isn\u2019t the peloton, but rather a very large chasing group. Paul Seixas and his main GC rivals are in the peloton, further behind.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T13:13:07.109Z
\nKOM – ALTO DE ELOSUA <\/p>\n

Soler moves to the front of the leading trio and takes the points at the top of the climb.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T13:11:13.809Z<\/p>\n

The pace set by Uno-X Mobility on the climb has seen the peloton significantly reduced in size already.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T13:08:08.982Z<\/p>\n

The three rides leading the race.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-11T13:05:55.556Z<\/p>\n

Uno-X Mobility are leading the chase in the peloton. They don’t have a GC man, so are doing so to try to form a new break with their riders represented in it.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T13:01:39.715Z<\/p>\n

Peter \u00d8xenberg has joined L\u00f3pez in the chase.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T13:00:44.266Z<\/p>\n

Here’s more on the news today that Pello Bilbao has announced his retirement from racing.<\/p>\n

Tour de France and Giro d’Italia stage winner Pello Bilbao announces retirement at end of 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:58:32.738Z<\/p>\n

Juan Pedro L\u00f3pez attacks out the peloton.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:57:46.372Z<\/p>\n

The peloton has split as they ascend this climb.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:55:45.303Z<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-11T12:53:55.105Z<\/p>\n

Bagioli has abandoned the race. In these conditions, there’s bound to be a high drop put rate, as riders protect their health and fitness.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:51:31.498Z
\n110KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Still Soler, Healy and Skjelmose lead by 20 seconds, as the near the foot of the day’s second climb.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:48:43.320Z<\/p>\n

The three leaders crested the first climb together ahead of the bunch, with Skjelmose taking the 3 points, Healy 2 points and Soler 1 point. Each of these riders do have some points in the KOM classification, but are some way down from the leader Paul Seixas.<\/p>\n

1 Seixas 32 points<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2 Bou 22<\/p>\n

3 Anders Johannessen 19<\/p>\n

4 Lipowitz 18<\/p>\n

5 Soler 15<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:44:58.901Z
\n120KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Soler, Healy and Skjelmose still lead, by about 20 seconds.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:43:37.997Z<\/p>\n

The weather really has turned nasty today. This could make for a complicated final stage – and a new test for Paul Seixas, should his GC rivals want to put him under pressure in these conditions.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-11T12:37:40.741Z<\/p>\n

Soler and Healy are reuniting having attacked together yesterday. It\u2019s no surprise to see two riders with such an insatiable appetite for attacking get up the road again today.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:35:23.723Z<\/p>\n

Three riders have gone clear from the bunch, and it’s a strong trio – Soler, Healy, and Skjelmose.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:32:37.330Z<\/p>\n

As feared, the weather has taken a turn for the worse, and it’s started raining.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:27:55.677Z
\n130KM TO GO<\/p>\n

Still no break has gone clear, as they continue up the climb.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:27:16.162Z<\/p>\n

Van der Lee on the attack.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-11T12:22:10.163Z<\/p>\n

He’s been brought back, and the peloton is all together.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:19:14.012Z<\/p>\n

Jardi Christiaan van der Lee has attacked on the climb. The Dutchman has ridden aggressively throughout this week.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:17:40.666Z<\/p>\n

The climbing has begun pretty much straight away, with the riders already taking on the first of the day\u2019s 6 categorised ascents: the 4.6km, 7.6% Alto de Asentzio.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:14:57.945Z
\nOFFICIAL START<\/p>\n

And they’re off!<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:10:18.641Z<\/p>\n

We’ll bring you more on that Bilbao news later.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:09:59.852Z<\/p>\n

A major announcement was made during sign-in today – Pello Bilbao will retire at the end of the season. The 36-year-old has been one of the best Basque riders of his generation, winning stages at and finishing in the top 6 at both the Giro d\u2019Italia and Tour de France.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T12:07:35.467Z<\/p>\n

As forecasted, the temperature has dipped from the highs of the week so far, but there\u2019s no rain – at least not yet. Should the heavens open, this could become a complicated stage, what with all the descending as well as ascending.<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-11T12:05:24.313Z<\/p>\n

The riders will be racing soon – they’re just making their way through the neutralised zone towards the official start.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T11:59:39.498Z<\/p>\n

Also missing from the start having pulled out are Julian Alaphilippe, Enzo Paleni and Gotzon Martin.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T11:58:32.849Z<\/p>\n

There are a handful of riders who won’t be starting today – most notably Ben Tulett. The Brit had been 6th overall on GC, before being dropped early yesterday to slide down to 16th.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T11:51:31.274Z<\/p>\n

Florian Lipowitz nearly managed to get the better of Seixas yesterday, sticking to his wheel throughout the stage, but came out second best in the final sprint between the two.<\/p>\n

Itzulia Basque Country: Paul Seixas extends lead with third victory on stage 5 after thrilling duel with Florian Lipowitz<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T11:47:57.269Z<\/p>\n

\n

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

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

2026-04-11T11:45:01.310Z<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time for the final stage of Itzulia Basque Country and the question is the same as it has been for most days at this race – can anybody stop Paul Seixas? The teenage sensation has won three of the five stages so far, and has what feels like an assailable lead on the GC.<\/p>\n

2026-04-11T11:40:16.741Z<\/p>\n

Hello and welcome to the sixth and final stage of the 2026 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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Logout<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Refresh 2026-04-11T13:16:23.249Z 100KM TO GO Soler, Skjelmose and Healy still lead, with the Uno-X Mobility chase group 1:20…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":525205,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-525204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-cycling","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=525204"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525204\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/525205"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=525204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=525204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=525204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}