{"id":1866161,"date":"2026-04-04T08:40:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T05:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1866161"},"modified":"2026-04-04T08:40:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T05:40:34","slug":"a-third-worldtour-stage-race-victory-in-2026-for-isaac-del-toro-analysing-the-itzulia-basque-country-contenders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1866161","title":{"rendered":"A third WorldTour stage race victory in 2026 for Isaac del Toro? Analysing the Itzulia Basque Country contenders"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nItzulia Basque Country\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A third WorldTour stage race victory in 2026 for Isaac del Toro? Analysing the Itzulia Basque Country contenders<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-04T08:40:34Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n4 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Mexican star set for thrilling duel with former teammate Juan Ayuso, but Paul Seixas and Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d are waiting in the wings<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Top contenders at the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country include (L to R) Isaac del Toro, Pau Seixas and Juan Ayuso<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[60px] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-[var(--jumpto-underline-color)] border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Paul Seixas (Decathlon CGA CMM)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Ben Healy (EF Education-Easy Post)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Ion Izagirre (Cofidis)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 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data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-6543e725-bc4a-4a4a-a4b6-a55695d3cdcd\">Less than two weeks after the 2026 Volta a Catalunya, cycling&#8217;s latest top-level reminder that there is much more to bike racing than the Classics each spring arrives in the shape of Itzulia Basque Country. Neither of the top two stage racers of the current peloton, Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) nor 2023 Itzulia winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease Bike) will be present this year.<\/p>\n<p>But for anybody seeking to remind the world that there is life beyond the Slovenian and Dane, the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country is an excellent place to start. For one thing, if there&#8217;s always been one golden rule of the Itzulia Basque Country in its previous 64 editions, it&#8217;s been that it has always been anything but flat.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6543e725-bc4a-4a4a-a4b6-a55695d3cdcd-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">However, in this year&#8217;s edition, the trend for a relentless series of climbs the length and breadth of Euskadi has been taken to a new extreme.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Remco Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro face off in major GC clash \u2013 Analysing the UAE Tour favourites<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Isaac del Toro among the riders to watch at Tirreno-Adriatico<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Crunch time in the Pyrenees for Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Tom Pidcock \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the 2026 Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There are no bunch sprint stages at all &#8211; something almost unprecedented in previous editions of Itzulia Basque Country. For another, there are five uphill finishes out of a possible six, and that includes the stage 1 individual time trial, which opens up the hostilities on Monday, April 6 in Bilbao.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The opening 13-kilometre time trial through the parks and hills of the coastal city is much harder than usual, compared to the 2025 fairly-flat run through the vineyards surrounding the Basque capital Vitoria, ending with an uphill 500-metre grind at 9.2% gradient. Then after that, on all bar the last stage into Bergara, every day&#8217;s finale offers variations on the format of a tough major climb then a nasty little unclassified ascent to finish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">This could be the Cat.1 San Miquel de Aralar (9.4km at 7.4%, the hardest single climb of the entire race) on stage 2. Or maybe Itzulia&#8217;s much favoured combination of a concluding first-category and third-category on the toughest mountains day &#8211; in this case stage 5 in the shape of the Cat. 1 Izua (3km at 10%) and Cat. 3 Urkaregi (5.3km at 4.3%).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But be it the 400 metres at 8.8% on stage 3 into the industrial town of Basauri or the short, sharp rise into Galdako on stage 4, the organisation have hit on what they believe is a winning formula in terms of the race profile, and this year they&#8217;ve decided to repeat it almost ad infinitum.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ymHKkZBh8xwpdZ5CdSzKLd\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ymHKkZBh8xwpdZ5CdSzKLd slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"can-juan-ayuso-set-the-record-straight-3\">Can Juan Ayuso set the record straight?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-ead603d9-0482-40b3-9e6d-e9e7729f2758\">There are plenty of top names present who&#8217;ve thrived on such terrain present in this year&#8217;s lineup, from Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) to Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), both former winners. There are also double Itzulia champion Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) to breakaway specialist Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost). The Irishman was the protagonist of what is considered the longest successful breaks in Itzulia&#8217;s race history &#8211; over 120 kilometres, 55 of them alone &#8211; last year on stage 5.<\/p>\n<p>What all of these, and more, have in common is that they will have to stop Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). The Mexican&#8217;s track record this spring of week-long World Tour stage race victories, at UAE and then Tirreno, places him in pole position to claim a third, and arguably the hardest, in Itzulia Basque Country. If Del Toro does so, he&#8217;ll be well on track to taking over from last year&#8217;s Itzulia winner and teammate, Jo\u00e3o Almeida, as the new standout name in the week-long stage race speciality.<\/p>\n<p>The other big conditioning factor to Itzulia in 2026 will be, as ever, the weather and arguably the most notoriously gnarly, technical stage racing route of the entire season. Most recent editions have been run off in the dry. But as soon as there&#8217;s even a drop of rain in Itzulia Basque Country, on more occasions the roads &#8211; narrow, wooded, twisting and severely technical &#8211; become much harder to negotiate.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Who will challenge Jonas Vingegaard at the Race to the Sun? Analysing the contenders for Paris-Nice<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Where do the Tour de France contenders stand after Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico? Our first form ranking of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Super talents and former winners, but can anyone really challenge Tadej Poga\u010dar? \u2013 Analysing the men&#8217;s favourites for Strade Bianche 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>With or without the poor weather, Izulia&#8217;s already high potential for ambushes and surprises in a race supported by one of the noisiest, most passionate cycling fanbases in the world outside Belgium, can quickly and unpredictably morph into a tense, claustrophobic cauldron of non-stop drama. If Del Toro can handle all that and win, then it&#8217;d be a huge step for the Mexican in his non-stop rise to greatness.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-contenders-3\">The contenders<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-isaac-del-toro-uae-team-emirates-xrg\"><span>Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0168b878-51e0-4df7-93b9-0fdabd8ea549\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">2026 Tirreno-Adriatico was won by Isaac del Toro <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a3bc06df-eeb2-4c7d-8e03-a7c082f333bb\">On paper, you could say Itzulia Basque Country is made for Isaac del Toro. There are lots of explosive finales for him to show off his devastating uphill accelerations, only one short-tish time trial &#8211; his main weakness to date in 2026 &#8211; and plenty of opportunities for him to launch a surprise attack and disappear up the road while his rivals hesitate about who should chase.<\/p>\n<p>After two major overall wins at Tirreno-Adriatico and the UAE Tour this spring, Del Toro has major momentum with him in these kinds of stage races. What&#8217;s more, he has a team that is drilled and used to controlling races of this calibre ad infinitum, whether it was with Almeida last year and Poga\u010dar in the seasons before that.<\/p>\n<p>On the downside, Del Toro has shown himself vulnerable in the past when it comes to making tactical decisions on the hoof, and there are plenty of those needed in a race as volatile as Itzulia, and which is rarely won on pure strength alone. The young Mexican star comes in as the top favourite, but if he loses too much time in the opening race against the clock, an equally major statement will be needed to redress the balance &#8211; and Itzulia isn&#8217;t always the easiest race to do that.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-juan-ayuso-lidl-trek\"><span>Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-57c59c4d-eecb-4bc7-9e0b-750c3844af24\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">At 2024 Itzulia Basque Country stage 6, Juan Ayuso celebrates overall victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e3a18479-14d3-413a-aae6-649a0bad3590\">After losing Paris-Nice when he hit the rain-soaked ground at speed on a perilous descent on stage 4, just when he was leading and looking more than set to give Jonas Vingegaard a run for his money, Juan Ayuso returns to the fray in Itzulia. He&#8217;s doing so on home soil and in a race he&#8217;s already won, back in 2024, too. <\/p>\n<p>But if his victory two years ago was overshadowed by the terrible mass crash in Itzulia a few days earlier, this time Ayuso will be determined to set the record straight without any such incidents overshadowing his success. Getting his first opportunity this season to take on his former teammate Del Toro, the rider who eclipsed him completely in the Giro d&#8217;Italia last year, too, may well compound any lingering sense of unfinished business.<\/p>\n<p>Ayuso&#8217;s trump card could well be on day one in the 13-kilometre time trial in Bilbao, where &#8211; on paper &#8211; he&#8217;ll be one of the big favourites. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and, possibly, Rogli\u010d, Itzulia&#8217;s time trial champion par excellence, will likely give him a run for his money. But if Ayuso gets a good enough head start, there&#8217;s every chance he could lead the race from beginning to end, no matter what Del Toro throws at him.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-paul-seixas-decathlon-cga-cmm\"><span>Paul Seixas (Decathlon CGA CMM)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e90f0505-8670-4e75-a1fa-4c7c04bfeaef\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Paul Seixas (right) reacts to winning stage 2 at 2026 Volta ao Algarve ahead of Juan Ayuso <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e7cfa73e-8aac-42e5-bd18-2f31cbc15cab\">For the last 12 months or so, the main question about Paul Seixas has always been &#8211; what is his upper limit? And with a hugely promising eighth place in the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 (as the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne Alpes was then called) last summer, as well as his overall victory in the 2025 Tour de l&#8217;Avenir, Seixas now faces his first WorldTour stage race of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Second in the Volta ao Algarve in February, including a stage win on the Alto do F\u00f3ia, is already another big step up, particularly given that victory was taken against the likes of Ayuso and Almeida. But on the other hand, Itzulia is an exceptionally unforgiving, intricate kind of race, much more complex to handle than Algarve. So Seixas&#8217; youth and inexperience on the roads of the Basque Country could form a real counter-argument to those predicting France&#8217;s first success in Itzulia since Laurent Jalabert in 1999.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Seixas has the habit of punching above his weight time and again, and his explosive uphill finishes are just what&#8217;s needed to succeed in Itzulia. And at 20 years of age, and with nothing to lose, even a crack at a stage win would be a major triumph and bode well for his chances in two more races where he&#8217;ll be making his debut this spring: La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne and Li\u00e9ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-primoz-roglic-red-bull-bora-hansgrohe\"><span>Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e807fa0a-e316-4545-bfd9-83c911fe963c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d celebrates the first of many TT stage wins at Vuelta al Pa\u00eds Vasco in 2017 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d63b04f5-6482-4eaa-9426-09280f341231\">One of the more obscure records of recent cycling history is that Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d has never lost a time trial in the Itzulia Basque Country. Ever since 2017, he&#8217;s won no less than five, the most recent the opening stage in 2024. Could it be six times lucky?<\/p>\n<p>All good things come to an end and it&#8217;s not looking great for the Slovenian, to be honest, despite having some solid recent results like fifth in Tirreno-Adriatico to boost his confidence. The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe leader has the second half of the season, in particular the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, as his overriding goal of 2026, and whilst never one just to go through the motions, on paper a lot more riders will be in a lot better form than him right now.<\/p>\n<p>And yet. Quite apart from Rogli\u010d&#8217;s track record in the setpiece battles in the time trials, his victory in the 2021 Itzulia Basque Country, tearing apart Poga\u010dar&#8217;s UAE team and leaving the Slovenian reeling himself with a long-distance break on the final day, was one for the ages. What&#8217;s more, Rogli\u010d&#8217;s ability to suddenly turn the tables remained intact all the way through to the Volta a Catalunya last year, too, when he destroyed Ayuso&#8217;s lead at the last moment possible.<\/p>\n<p>So if Rogli\u010d is on anything near his top form, that TT record in Itzulia might just hold for yet another year. And who knows what could happen after that?<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-brandon-mcnulty-uae-team-emirates-xrg\"><span>Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bfd2164c-bed7-4adf-9d86-7b6e0449fa55\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Brandon McNulty en route to losing the leader&#8217;s jersey at the 2021 Itzulia Basque Country on stage 6 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-cbc22221-779d-47ee-90c4-6777abec6b9c\">Five years ago, when Brandon McNulty briefly held the race lead of the Itzulia Basque Country and teammate Poga\u010dar declared himself to work as a domestique de luxe, it had all the feel of a breakthrough moment. The lead itself went up in smoke, though, after Rogli\u010d went on the rampage on the final day. Not even Poga\u010dar himself could stop McNulty plummeting from the top spot on GC to 17th overall by the finish.<\/p>\n<p>Fast forward five years and McNulty&#8217;s now notched up a seventh and a fifth place overall at Itzulia, as well as helping teammate Jo\u00e3o Almeida take the outright win last year. But it&#8217;d be only human if he still had something of a sense of unfinished business about the race, and on top of that he&#8217;s clearly in great form.<\/p>\n<p>A chance of a second podium finish at Paris-Nice unravelled for him in the big crash on stage 4 and he&#8217;d already had a crash in the Volta ao Algarve on its key mountain stage to the Foia, too, just at the wrong moment. But he was up there giving Poga\u010dar key support at San Remo on the Cipressa in his debut participation and was again in the thick of it on the last day of Catalunya en route to Montjuic. After the success of San Remo for Poga\u010dar, Itzulia, then, could be where it finally goes right for him on a personal level in 2026, too.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-ben-healy-ef-education-easy-post\"><span>Ben Healy (EF Education-Easy Post)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ee2d14a7-3b5d-4fac-992c-1b452e4813e7\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Ben Healy celebrates the win on 2025 Itzulia Basque Country&#8217;s stage 5 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-21bb7a71-4654-49f6-b78c-352191f552a1\">After last year&#8217;s devastating breakaway stage victories in the Basque Country and again in the Tour de France, nobody would be in the slightest bit surprised if Ben Healy opted to make a long-range move or three in this year&#8217;s edition of Itzulia. But could this be where the Irishman steps up in the GC game as well?<\/p>\n<p>With 10 wins to date in his palmares, Healy has yet to take a stage race, although leading the Tour de France last year en route to ninth overall &#8211; his first top 10 in a Grand Tour &#8211; and then getting eighth in Tirreno-Adriatico this spring hints he&#8217;s got plenty of potential in that area.<\/p>\n<p>While he&#8217;s said over the winter he&#8217;s looking more at one-day racing this year, it&#8217;d be interesting to see if he gets his chance to raise his game in the GC battles at Itzulia, a race with exactly the kinds of punchy finishes and short climbs that seem to suit him the best. And if he gets the chance to have a crack at another stage win en route, then so much the better<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-ion-izagirre-cofidis\"><span>Ion Izagirre (Cofidis)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-924040c7-c18d-4b71-962b-df5317f29fea\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Ion Izagirre during 2026 Paris-Nice <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1ccb0cff-c7a7-42a4-a3b7-b23690685cfa\">In his last year as a racer, it&#8217;s far more likely that Ion Izagirre doesn&#8217;t manage to win the Itzulia Basque Country than actually succeeds in repeating his 2019 overall victory. But in a sense, it doesn&#8217;t matter.<\/p>\n<p>With no less than seven podium finishes in his palmares in his home event &#8211; four third places, the most recent in 2024, two seconds and a win, as well as two stage victories &#8211; there can be no doubt that Izagirre&#8217;s participation in Itzulia Basque Country for one last time has a very special feel to it.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;ll almost certainly be homages in start or finishing podiums along the way. But as one of the peloton&#8217;s sharpest racers and a rider with no less than 12 participations in the race &#8211; the first with Euskaltel-Euskadi back in the former ProTour team&#8217;s glory days in 2013 &#8211; Izagirre won&#8217;t miss out on any chances to shine for one last time on his home roads. It&#8217;ll certainly be worth keeping your eyes open for those, because Izagirre will be determined to make them count.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-antonio-tiberi-bahrain-victorious\"><span>Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2086fe53-c18e-45a4-9bf2-0758ef05b947\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">At the 2026 UAE Tour, race leader Antonio Tiberi after a summit finish stage <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b57012ee-8bf6-4eb2-8907-96270c1451f5\">It&#8217;s been a good year for Antonio Tiberi so far &#8211; or some important parts of it, anyway. A breakthrough summit finish victory in one of the two toughest stages of the UAE Tour at Jebel Mobrah culminated with a second overall behind Del Toro, and was preceded by a fourth place in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and followed by a third place in the Trofeo Laigueglia, too. Tirreno-Adriatico, though, was when the italian went off the boil in terms of stand-out performances &#8211; in an interview midrace he blamed poor recovery after UAE, although there may have been other reasons &#8211; and so how he performs in Itzulia, his next race, will be something of a voyage into the unknown.<\/p>\n<p>Still, we&#8217;ll know a lot more about his real state of form, after the opening &#8216;race of truth&#8217; time trial, and it&#8217;ll become clear if he&#8217;s still on something of a recovery path, in which case a stage win is the most likely option, or aiming much higher. Either way, as we saw in the Tour de Pologne&#8217;s similarly hilly terrain last year, where he took second overall, Itzulia is the kind of race that favours him well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-ymHKkZBh8xwpdZ5CdSzKLd\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-ymHKkZBh8xwpdZ5CdSzKLd slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro face off in major GC clash \u2013 Analysing the UAE Tour favourites<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Isaac del Toro among the riders to watch at Tirreno-Adriatico<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Crunch time in the Pyrenees for Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Tom Pidcock \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the 2026 Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will challenge Jonas Vingegaard at the Race to the Sun? Analysing the contenders for Paris-Nice<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Where do the Tour de France contenders stand after Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico? Our first form ranking of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Super talents and former winners, but can anyone really challenge Tadej Poga\u010dar? \u2013 Analysing the men&#8217;s favourites for Strade Bianche 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Former Tour of Flanders winner Marianne Vos not racing Sunday to direct focus on family after father&#8217;s death<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WpqqNNddJnitui2BiMEC7R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WpqqNNddJnitui2BiMEC7R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WpqqNNddJnitui2BiMEC7R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WpqqNNddJnitui2BiMEC7R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WpqqNNddJnitui2BiMEC7R-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Woes continue for Arnaud De Lie as Lotto Intermarch\u00e9 rider ruled out of Tour of Flanders <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZC3seKge8ZbR7w8B5VDYM8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZC3seKge8ZbR7w8B5VDYM8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZC3seKge8ZbR7w8B5VDYM8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZC3seKge8ZbR7w8B5VDYM8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZC3seKge8ZbR7w8B5VDYM8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Classic Velox Ad\u00e9lie de Vitr\u00e9: First professional victory for Marc Brustenga as first rider across the line relegated following deviation<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It shook me for a while&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Previews<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown  \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Van der Poel, Van Aert lead challenge against Poga\u010dar, but can debutant Evenepoel spoil the party in rare matchup? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the men&#8217;s Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has changed E3 Saxo Classic&#8217;s status but it remains the best Flanders form guide \u2013 A closer look at the contenders for Friday&#8217;s race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sprinters vs attackers on the Kemmelberg \u2013\u00a0Analysing the contenders for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">New name, new route, new winners? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Ronde Van Brugge<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I deliberately got rid of my social media for two weeks&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel addresses drama of surprise Tour of Flanders debut and says he wouldn&#8217;t be starting if victory wasn&#8217;t possible<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">What can Evenepoel learn from Poga\u010dar, Nibali, and Valverde? 5 memorable Tour of Flanders debuts from big-name cobbles newbies<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">A third WorldTour stage race victory in 2026 for Isaac del Toro? Analysing the Itzulia Basque Country contenders<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;At the half-way point, I was four minutes behind&#8217; &#8211; Unbound Gravel winner Cameron Jones surpasses Keegan Swenson&#8217;s record time at The White Rim<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;He can attack in the most random places&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar ponders potential tactical headache of Remco Evenepoel at Tour of Flanders<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nItzulia Basque Country\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A third WorldTour stage race victory in 2026 for Isaac del Toro? Analysing the Itzulia Basque Country contenders<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-04T08:40:34Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n4 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Mexican star set for thrilling duel with former teammate Juan Ayuso, but Paul Seixas and Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d are waiting in the wings<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Top contenders at the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country include (L to R) Isaac del Toro, Pau Seixas and Juan Ayuso<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[60px] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-[var(--jumpto-underline-color)] border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Paul Seixas (Decathlon CGA CMM)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Ben Healy (EF Education-Easy Post)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Ion Izagirre (Cofidis)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 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data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-6543e725-bc4a-4a4a-a4b6-a55695d3cdcd\">Less than two weeks after the 2026 Volta a Catalunya, cycling&#8217;s latest top-level reminder that there is much more to bike racing than the Classics each spring arrives in the shape of Itzulia Basque Country. Neither of the top two stage racers of the current peloton, Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) nor 2023 Itzulia winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease Bike) will be present this year.<\/p>\n<p>But for anybody seeking to remind the world that there is life beyond the Slovenian and Dane, the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country is an excellent place to start. For one thing, if there&#8217;s always been one golden rule of the Itzulia Basque Country in its previous 64 editions, it&#8217;s been that it has always been anything but flat.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6543e725-bc4a-4a4a-a4b6-a55695d3cdcd-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">However, in this year&#8217;s edition, the trend for a relentless series of climbs the length and breadth of Euskadi has been taken to a new extreme.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Remco Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro face off in major GC clash \u2013 Analysing the UAE Tour favourites<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Isaac del Toro among the riders to watch at Tirreno-Adriatico<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Crunch time in the Pyrenees for Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Tom Pidcock \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the 2026 Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There are no bunch sprint stages at all &#8211; something almost unprecedented in previous editions of Itzulia Basque Country. For another, there are five uphill finishes out of a possible six, and that includes the stage 1 individual time trial, which opens up the hostilities on Monday, April 6 in Bilbao.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The opening 13-kilometre time trial through the parks and hills of the coastal city is much harder than usual, compared to the 2025 fairly-flat run through the vineyards surrounding the Basque capital Vitoria, ending with an uphill 500-metre grind at 9.2% gradient. Then after that, on all bar the last stage into Bergara, every day&#8217;s finale offers variations on the format of a tough major climb then a nasty little unclassified ascent to finish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">This could be the Cat.1 San Miquel de Aralar (9.4km at 7.4%, the hardest single climb of the entire race) on stage 2. Or maybe Itzulia&#8217;s much favoured combination of a concluding first-category and third-category on the toughest mountains day &#8211; in this case stage 5 in the shape of the Cat. 1 Izua (3km at 10%) and Cat. 3 Urkaregi (5.3km at 4.3%).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But be it the 400 metres at 8.8% on stage 3 into the industrial town of Basauri or the short, sharp rise into Galdako on stage 4, the organisation have hit on what they believe is a winning formula in terms of the race profile, and this year they&#8217;ve decided to repeat it almost ad infinitum.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ymHKkZBh8xwpdZ5CdSzKLd\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ymHKkZBh8xwpdZ5CdSzKLd slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"can-juan-ayuso-set-the-record-straight-3\">Can Juan Ayuso set the record straight?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-ead603d9-0482-40b3-9e6d-e9e7729f2758\">There are plenty of top names present who&#8217;ve thrived on such terrain present in this year&#8217;s lineup, from Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) to Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), both former winners. There are also double Itzulia champion Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) to breakaway specialist Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost). The Irishman was the protagonist of what is considered the longest successful breaks in Itzulia&#8217;s race history &#8211; over 120 kilometres, 55 of them alone &#8211; last year on stage 5.<\/p>\n<p>What all of these, and more, have in common is that they will have to stop Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). The Mexican&#8217;s track record this spring of week-long World Tour stage race victories, at UAE and then Tirreno, places him in pole position to claim a third, and arguably the hardest, in Itzulia Basque Country. If Del Toro does so, he&#8217;ll be well on track to taking over from last year&#8217;s Itzulia winner and teammate, Jo\u00e3o Almeida, as the new standout name in the week-long stage race speciality.<\/p>\n<p>The other big conditioning factor to Itzulia in 2026 will be, as ever, the weather and arguably the most notoriously gnarly, technical stage racing route of the entire season. Most recent editions have been run off in the dry. But as soon as there&#8217;s even a drop of rain in Itzulia Basque Country, on more occasions the roads &#8211; narrow, wooded, twisting and severely technical &#8211; become much harder to negotiate.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Who will challenge Jonas Vingegaard at the Race to the Sun? Analysing the contenders for Paris-Nice<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Where do the Tour de France contenders stand after Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico? Our first form ranking of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Super talents and former winners, but can anyone really challenge Tadej Poga\u010dar? \u2013 Analysing the men&#8217;s favourites for Strade Bianche 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>With or without the poor weather, Izulia&#8217;s already high potential for ambushes and surprises in a race supported by one of the noisiest, most passionate cycling fanbases in the world outside Belgium, can quickly and unpredictably morph into a tense, claustrophobic cauldron of non-stop drama. If Del Toro can handle all that and win, then it&#8217;d be a huge step for the Mexican in his non-stop rise to greatness.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-contenders-3\">The contenders<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-isaac-del-toro-uae-team-emirates-xrg\"><span>Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0168b878-51e0-4df7-93b9-0fdabd8ea549\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">2026 Tirreno-Adriatico was won by Isaac del Toro <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a3bc06df-eeb2-4c7d-8e03-a7c082f333bb\">On paper, you could say Itzulia Basque Country is made for Isaac del Toro. There are lots of explosive finales for him to show off his devastating uphill accelerations, only one short-tish time trial &#8211; his main weakness to date in 2026 &#8211; and plenty of opportunities for him to launch a surprise attack and disappear up the road while his rivals hesitate about who should chase.<\/p>\n<p>After two major overall wins at Tirreno-Adriatico and the UAE Tour this spring, Del Toro has major momentum with him in these kinds of stage races. What&#8217;s more, he has a team that is drilled and used to controlling races of this calibre ad infinitum, whether it was with Almeida last year and Poga\u010dar in the seasons before that.<\/p>\n<p>On the downside, Del Toro has shown himself vulnerable in the past when it comes to making tactical decisions on the hoof, and there are plenty of those needed in a race as volatile as Itzulia, and which is rarely won on pure strength alone. The young Mexican star comes in as the top favourite, but if he loses too much time in the opening race against the clock, an equally major statement will be needed to redress the balance &#8211; and Itzulia isn&#8217;t always the easiest race to do that.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-juan-ayuso-lidl-trek\"><span>Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-57c59c4d-eecb-4bc7-9e0b-750c3844af24\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">At 2024 Itzulia Basque Country stage 6, Juan Ayuso celebrates overall victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e3a18479-14d3-413a-aae6-649a0bad3590\">After losing Paris-Nice when he hit the rain-soaked ground at speed on a perilous descent on stage 4, just when he was leading and looking more than set to give Jonas Vingegaard a run for his money, Juan Ayuso returns to the fray in Itzulia. He&#8217;s doing so on home soil and in a race he&#8217;s already won, back in 2024, too. <\/p>\n<p>But if his victory two years ago was overshadowed by the terrible mass crash in Itzulia a few days earlier, this time Ayuso will be determined to set the record straight without any such incidents overshadowing his success. Getting his first opportunity this season to take on his former teammate Del Toro, the rider who eclipsed him completely in the Giro d&#8217;Italia last year, too, may well compound any lingering sense of unfinished business.<\/p>\n<p>Ayuso&#8217;s trump card could well be on day one in the 13-kilometre time trial in Bilbao, where &#8211; on paper &#8211; he&#8217;ll be one of the big favourites. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and, possibly, Rogli\u010d, Itzulia&#8217;s time trial champion par excellence, will likely give him a run for his money. But if Ayuso gets a good enough head start, there&#8217;s every chance he could lead the race from beginning to end, no matter what Del Toro throws at him.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-paul-seixas-decathlon-cga-cmm\"><span>Paul Seixas (Decathlon CGA CMM)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e90f0505-8670-4e75-a1fa-4c7c04bfeaef\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Paul Seixas (right) reacts to winning stage 2 at 2026 Volta ao Algarve ahead of Juan Ayuso <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e7cfa73e-8aac-42e5-bd18-2f31cbc15cab\">For the last 12 months or so, the main question about Paul Seixas has always been &#8211; what is his upper limit? And with a hugely promising eighth place in the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 (as the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne Alpes was then called) last summer, as well as his overall victory in the 2025 Tour de l&#8217;Avenir, Seixas now faces his first WorldTour stage race of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Second in the Volta ao Algarve in February, including a stage win on the Alto do F\u00f3ia, is already another big step up, particularly given that victory was taken against the likes of Ayuso and Almeida. But on the other hand, Itzulia is an exceptionally unforgiving, intricate kind of race, much more complex to handle than Algarve. So Seixas&#8217; youth and inexperience on the roads of the Basque Country could form a real counter-argument to those predicting France&#8217;s first success in Itzulia since Laurent Jalabert in 1999.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Seixas has the habit of punching above his weight time and again, and his explosive uphill finishes are just what&#8217;s needed to succeed in Itzulia. And at 20 years of age, and with nothing to lose, even a crack at a stage win would be a major triumph and bode well for his chances in two more races where he&#8217;ll be making his debut this spring: La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne and Li\u00e9ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-primoz-roglic-red-bull-bora-hansgrohe\"><span>Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e807fa0a-e316-4545-bfd9-83c911fe963c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d celebrates the first of many TT stage wins at Vuelta al Pa\u00eds Vasco in 2017 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d63b04f5-6482-4eaa-9426-09280f341231\">One of the more obscure records of recent cycling history is that Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d has never lost a time trial in the Itzulia Basque Country. Ever since 2017, he&#8217;s won no less than five, the most recent the opening stage in 2024. Could it be six times lucky?<\/p>\n<p>All good things come to an end and it&#8217;s not looking great for the Slovenian, to be honest, despite having some solid recent results like fifth in Tirreno-Adriatico to boost his confidence. The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe leader has the second half of the season, in particular the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, as his overriding goal of 2026, and whilst never one just to go through the motions, on paper a lot more riders will be in a lot better form than him right now.<\/p>\n<p>And yet. Quite apart from Rogli\u010d&#8217;s track record in the setpiece battles in the time trials, his victory in the 2021 Itzulia Basque Country, tearing apart Poga\u010dar&#8217;s UAE team and leaving the Slovenian reeling himself with a long-distance break on the final day, was one for the ages. What&#8217;s more, Rogli\u010d&#8217;s ability to suddenly turn the tables remained intact all the way through to the Volta a Catalunya last year, too, when he destroyed Ayuso&#8217;s lead at the last moment possible.<\/p>\n<p>So if Rogli\u010d is on anything near his top form, that TT record in Itzulia might just hold for yet another year. And who knows what could happen after that?<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-brandon-mcnulty-uae-team-emirates-xrg\"><span>Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bfd2164c-bed7-4adf-9d86-7b6e0449fa55\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Brandon McNulty en route to losing the leader&#8217;s jersey at the 2021 Itzulia Basque Country on stage 6 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-cbc22221-779d-47ee-90c4-6777abec6b9c\">Five years ago, when Brandon McNulty briefly held the race lead of the Itzulia Basque Country and teammate Poga\u010dar declared himself to work as a domestique de luxe, it had all the feel of a breakthrough moment. The lead itself went up in smoke, though, after Rogli\u010d went on the rampage on the final day. Not even Poga\u010dar himself could stop McNulty plummeting from the top spot on GC to 17th overall by the finish.<\/p>\n<p>Fast forward five years and McNulty&#8217;s now notched up a seventh and a fifth place overall at Itzulia, as well as helping teammate Jo\u00e3o Almeida take the outright win last year. But it&#8217;d be only human if he still had something of a sense of unfinished business about the race, and on top of that he&#8217;s clearly in great form.<\/p>\n<p>A chance of a second podium finish at Paris-Nice unravelled for him in the big crash on stage 4 and he&#8217;d already had a crash in the Volta ao Algarve on its key mountain stage to the Foia, too, just at the wrong moment. But he was up there giving Poga\u010dar key support at San Remo on the Cipressa in his debut participation and was again in the thick of it on the last day of Catalunya en route to Montjuic. After the success of San Remo for Poga\u010dar, Itzulia, then, could be where it finally goes right for him on a personal level in 2026, too.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-ben-healy-ef-education-easy-post\"><span>Ben Healy (EF Education-Easy Post)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ee2d14a7-3b5d-4fac-992c-1b452e4813e7\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Ben Healy celebrates the win on 2025 Itzulia Basque Country&#8217;s stage 5 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-21bb7a71-4654-49f6-b78c-352191f552a1\">After last year&#8217;s devastating breakaway stage victories in the Basque Country and again in the Tour de France, nobody would be in the slightest bit surprised if Ben Healy opted to make a long-range move or three in this year&#8217;s edition of Itzulia. But could this be where the Irishman steps up in the GC game as well?<\/p>\n<p>With 10 wins to date in his palmares, Healy has yet to take a stage race, although leading the Tour de France last year en route to ninth overall &#8211; his first top 10 in a Grand Tour &#8211; and then getting eighth in Tirreno-Adriatico this spring hints he&#8217;s got plenty of potential in that area.<\/p>\n<p>While he&#8217;s said over the winter he&#8217;s looking more at one-day racing this year, it&#8217;d be interesting to see if he gets his chance to raise his game in the GC battles at Itzulia, a race with exactly the kinds of punchy finishes and short climbs that seem to suit him the best. And if he gets the chance to have a crack at another stage win en route, then so much the better<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-ion-izagirre-cofidis\"><span>Ion Izagirre (Cofidis)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-924040c7-c18d-4b71-962b-df5317f29fea\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Ion Izagirre during 2026 Paris-Nice <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1ccb0cff-c7a7-42a4-a3b7-b23690685cfa\">In his last year as a racer, it&#8217;s far more likely that Ion Izagirre doesn&#8217;t manage to win the Itzulia Basque Country than actually succeeds in repeating his 2019 overall victory. But in a sense, it doesn&#8217;t matter.<\/p>\n<p>With no less than seven podium finishes in his palmares in his home event &#8211; four third places, the most recent in 2024, two seconds and a win, as well as two stage victories &#8211; there can be no doubt that Izagirre&#8217;s participation in Itzulia Basque Country for one last time has a very special feel to it.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;ll almost certainly be homages in start or finishing podiums along the way. But as one of the peloton&#8217;s sharpest racers and a rider with no less than 12 participations in the race &#8211; the first with Euskaltel-Euskadi back in the former ProTour team&#8217;s glory days in 2013 &#8211; Izagirre won&#8217;t miss out on any chances to shine for one last time on his home roads. It&#8217;ll certainly be worth keeping your eyes open for those, because Izagirre will be determined to make them count.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-antonio-tiberi-bahrain-victorious\"><span>Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2086fe53-c18e-45a4-9bf2-0758ef05b947\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">At the 2026 UAE Tour, race leader Antonio Tiberi after a summit finish stage <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b57012ee-8bf6-4eb2-8907-96270c1451f5\">It&#8217;s been a good year for Antonio Tiberi so far &#8211; or some important parts of it, anyway. A breakthrough summit finish victory in one of the two toughest stages of the UAE Tour at Jebel Mobrah culminated with a second overall behind Del Toro, and was preceded by a fourth place in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and followed by a third place in the Trofeo Laigueglia, too. Tirreno-Adriatico, though, was when the italian went off the boil in terms of stand-out performances &#8211; in an interview midrace he blamed poor recovery after UAE, although there may have been other reasons &#8211; and so how he performs in Itzulia, his next race, will be something of a voyage into the unknown.<\/p>\n<p>Still, we&#8217;ll know a lot more about his real state of form, after the opening &#8216;race of truth&#8217; time trial, and it&#8217;ll become clear if he&#8217;s still on something of a recovery path, in which case a stage win is the most likely option, or aiming much higher. Either way, as we saw in the Tour de Pologne&#8217;s similarly hilly terrain last year, where he took second overall, Itzulia is the kind of race that favours him well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-ymHKkZBh8xwpdZ5CdSzKLd\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-ymHKkZBh8xwpdZ5CdSzKLd slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro face off in major GC clash \u2013 Analysing the UAE Tour favourites<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Isaac del Toro among the riders to watch at Tirreno-Adriatico<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Crunch time in the Pyrenees for Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Tom Pidcock \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the 2026 Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Who will challenge Jonas Vingegaard at the Race to the Sun? Analysing the contenders for Paris-Nice<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Where do the Tour de France contenders stand after Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico? Our first form ranking of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Super talents and former winners, but can anyone really challenge Tadej Poga\u010dar? \u2013 Analysing the men&#8217;s favourites for Strade Bianche 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/w3FiB6T4ivzDnQn4Mhc586-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Former Tour of Flanders winner Marianne Vos not racing Sunday to direct focus on family after father&#8217;s death<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WpqqNNddJnitui2BiMEC7R-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WpqqNNddJnitui2BiMEC7R-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WpqqNNddJnitui2BiMEC7R-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WpqqNNddJnitui2BiMEC7R-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WpqqNNddJnitui2BiMEC7R-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Woes continue for Arnaud De Lie as Lotto Intermarch\u00e9 rider ruled out of Tour of Flanders <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZC3seKge8ZbR7w8B5VDYM8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZC3seKge8ZbR7w8B5VDYM8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZC3seKge8ZbR7w8B5VDYM8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZC3seKge8ZbR7w8B5VDYM8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZC3seKge8ZbR7w8B5VDYM8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Classic Velox Ad\u00e9lie de Vitr\u00e9: First professional victory for Marc Brustenga as first rider across the line relegated following deviation<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ShqKmTsbMpfvYvzH7i3A8C-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It shook me for a while&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch opens up about online abuse he received after helping chase down Wout van Aert at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Vh34BooamCivwXpsDSrfAZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can give others some pressure&#8217; \u2013 Why Lorena Wiebes could be the most influential rider on the Tour of Flanders start line<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rgsBNinvxShtJQJLdgF5TN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">With no Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Canyon-SRAM look to Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt and Chlo\u00e9 Dygert for Tour of Flanders success<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Previews<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Zg3H59SrqAJ8yUL58dyFQG-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Lotte Kopecky, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Pr\u00e9vot face off in what could be an epic showdown  \u2013 Analysing the Tour of Flanders Women contenders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Wz8StZaiG7VeLse2hVecQA-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Van der Poel, Van Aert lead challenge against Poga\u010dar, but can debutant Evenepoel spoil the party in rare matchup? \u2013 Analysing the favourites for the men&#8217;s Tour of Flanders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Rk3esFqRGQfMaCDXoZMm9W-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">More than a Tour of Flanders warm-up \u2013 Analysing the contenders at Dwars door Vlaanderen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A8rsyrMGbAaRxUEhoGGAWF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has changed E3 Saxo Classic&#8217;s status but it remains the best Flanders form guide \u2013 A closer look at the contenders for Friday&#8217;s race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6XgwMzKqsbMp4hZaKL6Ri4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sprinters vs attackers on the Kemmelberg \u2013\u00a0Analysing the contenders for In Flanders Fields<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SENYq3cAranrr2cSVGCWi4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">New name, new route, new winners? \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s Ronde Van Brugge<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpeEMUPeVXkyiWBiWyugWE.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I deliberately got rid of my social media for two weeks&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel addresses drama of surprise Tour of Flanders debut and says he wouldn&#8217;t be starting if victory wasn&#8217;t possible<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">What can Evenepoel learn from Poga\u010dar, Nibali, and Valverde? 5 memorable Tour of Flanders debuts from big-name cobbles newbies<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">A third WorldTour stage race victory in 2026 for Isaac del Toro? Analysing the Itzulia Basque Country contenders<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;At the half-way point, I was four minutes behind&#8217; &#8211; Unbound Gravel winner Cameron Jones surpasses Keegan Swenson&#8217;s record time at The White Rim<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;He can attack in the most random places&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar ponders potential tactical headache of Remco Evenepoel at Tour of Flanders<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nItzulia Basque Country\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>A third WorldTour stage race victory in 2026 for Isaac del Toro? Analysing the Itzulia Basque Country contenders<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-04-04T08:40:34Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n4 April 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Mexican star set for thrilling duel with former teammate Juan Ayuso, but Paul Seixas and Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d are waiting in the wings<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 sm:ml-1.5 font-base text-xs\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-6543e725-bc4a-4a4a-a4b6-a55695d3cdcd\">Less than two weeks after the 2026 Volta a Catalunya, cycling&#8217;s latest top-level reminder that there is much more to bike racing than the Classics each spring arrives in the shape of Itzulia Basque Country. Neither of the top two stage racers of the current peloton, Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) nor 2023 Itzulia winner Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease Bike) will be present this year.<\/p>\n<p>But for anybody seeking to remind the world that there is life beyond the Slovenian and Dane, the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country is an excellent place to start. For one thing, if there&#8217;s always been one golden rule of the Itzulia Basque Country in its previous 64 editions, it&#8217;s been that it has always been anything but flat.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6543e725-bc4a-4a4a-a4b6-a55695d3cdcd-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">However, in this year&#8217;s edition, the trend for a relentless series of climbs the length and breadth of Euskadi has been taken to a new extreme.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CfbAUZvwiUvJsCkKxpmcGT-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Remco Evenepoel and Isaac del Toro face off in major GC clash \u2013 Analysing the UAE Tour favourites<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sRmHwLdiSejpteYzzN9pcg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Isaac del Toro among the riders to watch at Tirreno-Adriatico<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tdMM9USiVzeJJ9QkhvYSBE-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Crunch time in the Pyrenees for Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Tom Pidcock \u2013 Analysing the contenders for the 2026 Volta a Catalunya<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">There are no bunch sprint stages at all &#8211; something almost unprecedented in previous editions of Itzulia Basque Country. For another, there are five uphill finishes out of a possible six, and that includes the stage 1 individual time trial, which opens up the hostilities on Monday, April 6 in Bilbao.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">The opening 13-kilometre time trial through the parks and hills of the coastal city is much harder than usual, compared to the 2025 fairly-flat run through the vineyards surrounding the Basque capital Vitoria, ending with an uphill 500-metre grind at 9.2% gradient. Then after that, on all bar the last stage into Bergara, every day&#8217;s finale offers variations on the format of a tough major climb then a nasty little unclassified ascent to finish.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">This could be the Cat.1 San Miquel de Aralar (9.4km at 7.4%, the hardest single climb of the entire race) on stage 2. Or maybe Itzulia&#8217;s much favoured combination of a concluding first-category and third-category on the toughest mountains day &#8211; in this case stage 5 in the shape of the Cat. 1 Izua (3km at 10%) and Cat. 3 Urkaregi (5.3km at 4.3%).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">But be it the 400 metres at 8.8% on stage 3 into the industrial town of Basauri or the short, sharp rise into Galdako on stage 4, the organisation have hit on what they believe is a winning formula in terms of the race profile, and this year they&#8217;ve decided to repeat it almost ad infinitum.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ymHKkZBh8xwpdZ5CdSzKLd\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ymHKkZBh8xwpdZ5CdSzKLd slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"can-juan-ayuso-set-the-record-straight-3\">Can Juan Ayuso set the record straight?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-ead603d9-0482-40b3-9e6d-e9e7729f2758\">There are plenty of top names present who&#8217;ve thrived on such terrain present in this year&#8217;s lineup, from Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) to Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), both former winners. There are also double Itzulia champion Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) to breakaway specialist Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost). The Irishman was the protagonist of what is considered the longest successful breaks in Itzulia&#8217;s race history &#8211; over 120 kilometres, 55 of them alone &#8211; last year on stage 5.<\/p>\n<p>What all of these, and more, have in common is that they will have to stop Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). The Mexican&#8217;s track record this spring of week-long World Tour stage race victories, at UAE and then Tirreno, places him in pole position to claim a third, and arguably the hardest, in Itzulia Basque Country. If Del Toro does so, he&#8217;ll be well on track to taking over from last year&#8217;s Itzulia winner and teammate, Jo\u00e3o Almeida, as the new standout name in the week-long stage race speciality.<\/p>\n<p>The other big conditioning factor to Itzulia in 2026 will be, as ever, the weather and arguably the most notoriously gnarly, technical stage racing route of the entire season. Most recent editions have been run off in the dry. But as soon as there&#8217;s even a drop of rain in Itzulia Basque Country, on more occasions the roads &#8211; narrow, wooded, twisting and severely technical &#8211; become much harder to negotiate.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kKnnsxxy34Q4cUPK37kZRM-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Who will challenge Jonas Vingegaard at the Race to the Sun? Analysing the contenders for Paris-Nice<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8nMks4GenFSmnUPtmevmDb-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Where do the Tour de France contenders stand after Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico? Our first form ranking of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gP29mn4RkYirG5ckB2QqdQ-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Super talents and former winners, but can anyone really challenge Tadej Poga\u010dar? \u2013 Analysing the men&#8217;s favourites for Strade Bianche 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>With or without the poor weather, Izulia&#8217;s already high potential for ambushes and surprises in a race supported by one of the noisiest, most passionate cycling fanbases in the world outside Belgium, can quickly and unpredictably morph into a tense, claustrophobic cauldron of non-stop drama. If Del Toro can handle all that and win, then it&#8217;d be a huge step for the Mexican in his non-stop rise to greatness.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-contenders-3\">The contenders<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-isaac-del-toro-uae-team-emirates-xrg\"><span>Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0168b878-51e0-4df7-93b9-0fdabd8ea549\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cRPMqfJBrGdWiFAA3EoJqb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">2026 Tirreno-Adriatico was won by Isaac del Toro <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a3bc06df-eeb2-4c7d-8e03-a7c082f333bb\">On paper, you could say Itzulia Basque Country is made for Isaac del Toro. There are lots of explosive finales for him to show off his devastating uphill accelerations, only one short-tish time trial &#8211; his main weakness to date in 2026 &#8211; and plenty of opportunities for him to launch a surprise attack and disappear up the road while his rivals hesitate about who should chase.<\/p>\n<p>After two major overall wins at Tirreno-Adriatico and the UAE Tour this spring, Del Toro has major momentum with him in these kinds of stage races. What&#8217;s more, he has a team that is drilled and used to controlling races of this calibre ad infinitum, whether it was with Almeida last year and Poga\u010dar in the seasons before that.<\/p>\n<p>On the downside, Del Toro has shown himself vulnerable in the past when it comes to making tactical decisions on the hoof, and there are plenty of those needed in a race as volatile as Itzulia, and which is rarely won on pure strength alone. The young Mexican star comes in as the top favourite, but if he loses too much time in the opening race against the clock, an equally major statement will be needed to redress the balance &#8211; and Itzulia isn&#8217;t always the easiest race to do that.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-juan-ayuso-lidl-trek\"><span>Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-57c59c4d-eecb-4bc7-9e0b-750c3844af24\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H66PZYpNsvsX8wNfUYAa3G-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">At 2024 Itzulia Basque Country stage 6, Juan Ayuso celebrates overall victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e3a18479-14d3-413a-aae6-649a0bad3590\">After losing Paris-Nice when he hit the rain-soaked ground at speed on a perilous descent on stage 4, just when he was leading and looking more than set to give Jonas Vingegaard a run for his money, Juan Ayuso returns to the fray in Itzulia. He&#8217;s doing so on home soil and in a race he&#8217;s already won, back in 2024, too. <\/p>\n<p>But if his victory two years ago was overshadowed by the terrible mass crash in Itzulia a few days earlier, this time Ayuso will be determined to set the record straight without any such incidents overshadowing his success. Getting his first opportunity this season to take on his former teammate Del Toro, the rider who eclipsed him completely in the Giro d&#8217;Italia last year, too, may well compound any lingering sense of unfinished business.<\/p>\n<p>Ayuso&#8217;s trump card could well be on day one in the 13-kilometre time trial in Bilbao, where &#8211; on paper &#8211; he&#8217;ll be one of the big favourites. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and, possibly, Rogli\u010d, Itzulia&#8217;s time trial champion par excellence, will likely give him a run for his money. But if Ayuso gets a good enough head start, there&#8217;s every chance he could lead the race from beginning to end, no matter what Del Toro throws at him.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-paul-seixas-decathlon-cga-cmm\"><span>Paul Seixas (Decathlon CGA CMM)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e90f0505-8670-4e75-a1fa-4c7c04bfeaef\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xhyERVBZvM2YQu3cwgpUhe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Paul Seixas (right) reacts to winning stage 2 at 2026 Volta ao Algarve ahead of Juan Ayuso <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-e7cfa73e-8aac-42e5-bd18-2f31cbc15cab\">For the last 12 months or so, the main question about Paul Seixas has always been &#8211; what is his upper limit? And with a hugely promising eighth place in the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 (as the Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne Alpes was then called) last summer, as well as his overall victory in the 2025 Tour de l&#8217;Avenir, Seixas now faces his first WorldTour stage race of 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Second in the Volta ao Algarve in February, including a stage win on the Alto do F\u00f3ia, is already another big step up, particularly given that victory was taken against the likes of Ayuso and Almeida. But on the other hand, Itzulia is an exceptionally unforgiving, intricate kind of race, much more complex to handle than Algarve. So Seixas&#8217; youth and inexperience on the roads of the Basque Country could form a real counter-argument to those predicting France&#8217;s first success in Itzulia since Laurent Jalabert in 1999.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Seixas has the habit of punching above his weight time and again, and his explosive uphill finishes are just what&#8217;s needed to succeed in Itzulia. And at 20 years of age, and with nothing to lose, even a crack at a stage win would be a major triumph and bode well for his chances in two more races where he&#8217;ll be making his debut this spring: La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne and Li\u00e9ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-primoz-roglic-red-bull-bora-hansgrohe\"><span>Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e807fa0a-e316-4545-bfd9-83c911fe963c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fvj946syHdzZCNwAvPpDPN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d celebrates the first of many TT stage wins at Vuelta al Pa\u00eds Vasco in 2017 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d63b04f5-6482-4eaa-9426-09280f341231\">One of the more obscure records of recent cycling history is that Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d has never lost a time trial in the Itzulia Basque Country. Ever since 2017, he&#8217;s won no less than five, the most recent the opening stage in 2024. Could it be six times lucky?<\/p>\n<p>All good things come to an end and it&#8217;s not looking great for the Slovenian, to be honest, despite having some solid recent results like fifth in Tirreno-Adriatico to boost his confidence. The Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe leader has the second half of the season, in particular the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, as his overriding goal of 2026, and whilst never one just to go through the motions, on paper a lot more riders will be in a lot better form than him right now.<\/p>\n<p>And yet. Quite apart from Rogli\u010d&#8217;s track record in the setpiece battles in the time trials, his victory in the 2021 Itzulia Basque Country, tearing apart Poga\u010dar&#8217;s UAE team and leaving the Slovenian reeling himself with a long-distance break on the final day, was one for the ages. What&#8217;s more, Rogli\u010d&#8217;s ability to suddenly turn the tables remained intact all the way through to the Volta a Catalunya last year, too, when he destroyed Ayuso&#8217;s lead at the last moment possible.<\/p>\n<p>So if Rogli\u010d is on anything near his top form, that TT record in Itzulia might just hold for yet another year. And who knows what could happen after that?<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-brandon-mcnulty-uae-team-emirates-xrg\"><span>Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-bfd2164c-bed7-4adf-9d86-7b6e0449fa55\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kbF3SiEsCFCsMj9KFMrME5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Brandon McNulty en route to losing the leader&#8217;s jersey at the 2021 Itzulia Basque Country on stage 6 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-cbc22221-779d-47ee-90c4-6777abec6b9c\">Five years ago, when Brandon McNulty briefly held the race lead of the Itzulia Basque Country and teammate Poga\u010dar declared himself to work as a domestique de luxe, it had all the feel of a breakthrough moment. The lead itself went up in smoke, though, after Rogli\u010d went on the rampage on the final day. Not even Poga\u010dar himself could stop McNulty plummeting from the top spot on GC to 17th overall by the finish.<\/p>\n<p>Fast forward five years and McNulty&#8217;s now notched up a seventh and a fifth place overall at Itzulia, as well as helping teammate Jo\u00e3o Almeida take the outright win last year. But it&#8217;d be only human if he still had something of a sense of unfinished business about the race, and on top of that he&#8217;s clearly in great form.<\/p>\n<p>A chance of a second podium finish at Paris-Nice unravelled for him in the big crash on stage 4 and he&#8217;d already had a crash in the Volta ao Algarve on its key mountain stage to the Foia, too, just at the wrong moment. But he was up there giving Poga\u010dar key support at San Remo on the Cipressa in his debut participation and was again in the thick of it on the last day of Catalunya en route to Montjuic. After the success of San Remo for Poga\u010dar, Itzulia, then, could be where it finally goes right for him on a personal level in 2026, too.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-ben-healy-ef-education-easy-post\"><span>Ben Healy (EF Education-Easy Post)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ee2d14a7-3b5d-4fac-992c-1b452e4813e7\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6GBKEkbTb5X4K8dL2NYDBU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Ben Healy celebrates the win on 2025 Itzulia Basque Country&#8217;s stage 5 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-21bb7a71-4654-49f6-b78c-352191f552a1\">After last year&#8217;s devastating breakaway stage victories in the Basque Country and again in the Tour de France, nobody would be in the slightest bit surprised if Ben Healy opted to make a long-range move or three in this year&#8217;s edition of Itzulia. But could this be where the Irishman steps up in the GC game as well?<\/p>\n<p>With 10 wins to date in his palmares, Healy has yet to take a stage race, although leading the Tour de France last year en route to ninth overall &#8211; his first top 10 in a Grand Tour &#8211; and then getting eighth in Tirreno-Adriatico this spring hints he&#8217;s got plenty of potential in that area.<\/p>\n<p>While he&#8217;s said over the winter he&#8217;s looking more at one-day racing this year, it&#8217;d be interesting to see if he gets his chance to raise his game in the GC battles at Itzulia, a race with exactly the kinds of punchy finishes and short climbs that seem to suit him the best. And if he gets the chance to have a crack at another stage win en route, then so much the better<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-ion-izagirre-cofidis\"><span>Ion Izagirre (Cofidis)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-924040c7-c18d-4b71-962b-df5317f29fea\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iTvBVJVcNUZKXjfjocAbWj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Ion Izagirre during 2026 Paris-Nice <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-1ccb0cff-c7a7-42a4-a3b7-b23690685cfa\">In his last year as a racer, it&#8217;s far more likely that Ion Izagirre doesn&#8217;t manage to win the Itzulia Basque Country than actually succeeds in repeating his 2019 overall victory. But in a sense, it doesn&#8217;t matter.<\/p>\n<p>With no less than seven podium finishes in his palmares in his home event &#8211; four third places, the most recent in 2024, two seconds and a win, as well as two stage victories &#8211; there can be no doubt that Izagirre&#8217;s participation in Itzulia Basque Country for one last time has a very special feel to it.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;ll almost certainly be homages in start or finishing podiums along the way. But as one of the peloton&#8217;s sharpest racers and a rider with no less than 12 participations in the race &#8211; the first with Euskaltel-Euskadi back in the former ProTour team&#8217;s glory days in 2013 &#8211; Izagirre won&#8217;t miss out on any chances to shine for one last time on his home roads. It&#8217;ll certainly be worth keeping your eyes open for those, because Izagirre will be determined to make them count.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-antonio-tiberi-bahrain-victorious\"><span>Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious)<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2086fe53-c18e-45a4-9bf2-0758ef05b947\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FghkvRYPV6dvHYUUm3jfQf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">At the 2026 UAE Tour, race leader Antonio Tiberi after a summit finish stage <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b57012ee-8bf6-4eb2-8907-96270c1451f5\">It&#8217;s been a good year for Antonio Tiberi so far &#8211; or some important parts of it, anyway. A breakthrough summit finish victory in one of the two toughest stages of the UAE Tour at Jebel Mobrah culminated with a second overall behind Del Toro, and was preceded by a fourth place in the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and followed by a third place in the Trofeo Laigueglia, too. Tirreno-Adriatico, though, was when the italian went off the boil in terms of stand-out performances &#8211; in an interview midrace he blamed poor recovery after UAE, although there may have been other reasons &#8211; and so how he performs in Itzulia, his next race, will be something of a voyage into the unknown.<\/p>\n<p>Still, we&#8217;ll know a lot more about his real state of form, after the opening &#8216;race of truth&#8217; time trial, and it&#8217;ll become clear if he&#8217;s still on something of a recovery path, in which case a stage win is the most likely option, or aiming much higher. Either way, as we saw in the Tour de Pologne&#8217;s similarly hilly terrain last year, where he took second overall, Itzulia is the kind of race that favours him well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/a-third-worldtour-stage-race-in-2026-for-isaac-del-toro-analysing-the-itzulia-basque-country-contenders\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c4G53gaqNZ5TK58JCwjNv9-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Road Itzulia Basque Country A third WorldTour stage race victory in 2026 for Isaac del Toro? Analysing the Itzulia Basque Country contenders By Alasdair Fotheringham published 4 April 2026 Mexican star set for thrilling duel with former teammate Juan Ayuso, but Paul Seixas and Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d are waiting in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1866161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1866161","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1866161"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1866161\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1866161"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1866161"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1866161"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}