- Giulio Ciccone wins his first txapela at the Clásica San Sebastián
- Jan Christen (UAD, 13) finished second, with Maxim Van Gils (RBH, 56) in third
And finally, the 44th edition of the Clásica San Sebastián is on. Following the fantastic atmosphere at yesterday’s team presentation, race day had finally arrived. The reigning champion of the Clásica San Sebastián was among the main favourites, alongside riders such as Juan Ayuso (UAD, 12), Isaac Del Toro (UAD, 15), Primož Roglič (RBH, 54), and Oscar Onley (TPP, 141), among others.
The race got underway with a flurry of attacks in the early kilometres, shortly before the first ascent. There, twelve riders succeeded in breaking away from the peloton. The breakaway group comprised: Jordan Labrosse (DAT, 26), Gil Gelders (SOQ, 33), Mats Wenzel (EKP, 67), Julen Arriola-Bengoa (CJR, 72), Darren Van Bekkum (XAT, 126), Alexy Faure-Prost (IWA, 133), Enzo Leijnse (TPP, 145), Gotzon Martín (EUS, 161), Anthony Delaplace (ARK, 172), Paul Double (JAY, 181), Ben Swift (IGD, 217) and Josh Burnett (BBH, 233).
By kilometre 95, the race leader held a lead of 1 minute and 55 seconds over the peloton. The main group was consistently led by UAE Team Emirates, XRG, and Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe.
After passing through San Sebastián for the first time, the peloton increased the pace and reduced the gap to 1 minute and 20 seconds. The day’s three key climbs were approaching: Jaizkibel, Erlaitz, and Murgil. The main favourites drove their teams on, intent on closing down the breakaway and making their move on Jaizkibel and Erlaitz.
The pace on the climb was intense, both within the breakaway and the peloton. The breakaway was whittled down to three riders, including Jordan Labrosse (DAT, 26) and Mats Wenzel (EKP, 67). Behind Lucas Plapp (JAY, 186), attacked from the peloton in an attempt to join the breakaway. he three riders regrouped before reaching Irún. The peloton trailed by 1’27”.
The escapees held a 27-second lead as they approached the start of the Erlaitz climb. After the first slopes, Lucas Plapp (JAY, 186) was leading the race on his own. From behind, Primož Roglič (RBH, 54) increased the pace, breaking up the peloton and leaving all his rivals behind. Only Jan Christen (UAD, 13) and Léo Bisiaux (DAT, 21) managed to keep pace with him. Gradually, Roglič began to tire and was overtaken by another group of riders. Among them were his teammate Maxim Van Gils (RBH, 56), along with Jan Christen (UAD, 13) and Giulio Ciccone (LTK, 42). But it wasn’t over yet. Isaac del Toro, the Mexican rider from UAE Team Emirates, caught up with the group with relative ease. In the final metres of the climb, Roglič managed to regain the lead. With 42 kilometres to go, two riders from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, two from UAE Team Emirates XRG, and one from Lidl-Trek were leading the Clásica San Sebastián.
Del Toro increased the pace just before reaching the summit of the toughest section, with only Giulio Ciccone (LTK, 42) able to keep up. From this point, it became a race against time to the finish line.
The race fragmented into several small groups. The two leading cyclists held a 40-second advantage over the chasing group, which was trying to organise itself to close the gap. That group included riders such as Jan Christen (UAD, 13), Léo Bisiaux (DAT, 21), Primož Roglič (RBH, 54), Maxim Van Gils (RBH, 56), Neilson Powless (EFE, 91), Tiesj Benoot (TVL, 101), Cian Uijtdebroeks (TVL, 107), and Lucas Plapp (JAY, 186).
With just 17 kilometres remaining to the finish line, the gap had extended to 53 seconds. The two leading riders appeared poised to battle for victory on the final climb. Before the climb began, the gap had narrowed to 36 seconds. From the chasing group, Jan Christen (UAD, 13) launched an attack that no one else could match. He caught up with the leading pair and increased the pace once more, causing his teammate considerable difficulty, as he was unable to launch his own attack. Ciccone stayed on the Swiss rider’s wheel and changed the pace, dropping the two UAE Team Emirates XRG riders. The Italian was giving it his all and appeared stronger than anyone else.
There weren’t many riders left with the strength behind them. Neilson Powless (EFE, 91) caught up with Del Toro before reaching the summit.
The Italian cyclist from Lidl-Trek arrived alone on the boulevard in San Sebastián with a 10-second lead – enough to secure victory in the 2025 edition. Jan Christen (UAD, 13) finished second, with Maxim Van Gils (RBH, 56) in third
Winners
First place: Giulio Ciccone (LTK, 42)
Second place: Jan Christen (UAD, 13)
Third place: Lennert Van Letvelt (LTD, 125)
Winner of the mountain prize: Giulio Ciccone (LTK, 42)
Sprint winner: Giulio Ciccone (LTK, 42)
Best young rider: Jan Christen (UAD, 13)
Best Basque rider: Urko Berrade (EKP, 61)
Best team: Team Visma – Lease a Bike
Most combative: Lucas Plapp (JAY, 186)
