- Remco Evenepoel takes sole possession of the record for the number of victories he previously shared with Marino Lejarreta
- Richard Carapaz finishes second, followed by Ben Tulett in third
The 45th edition of the Clásica San Sebastián brought together a line-up of top-class cyclists. These included the clear favourite, Remco Evenepoel (RBH, 21), who lined up at the start keen to make history. However, Julio Ciccone (LTK, 1), Richard Carapaz (EFE, 31) and Jonathan Narvaez (UEX, 44) would not make it easy for him. Today would also be the last time that Pello Bilbao (TBV, 191), Ion Izagirre (COF, 101), Nairo Quintana (MOV, 165) and Bauke Mollema (LTK, 5) would compete in the Clásica.
The race began with a breakaway right from the start, made up of the following riders: Tim Rex (TVL, 16), Iñigo Elosegui (EKP, 63), Ådne Holter (UXM, 85), Valentin Ferron (COF, 103), Lorenzo Quartucci (BBH, 173), Nicolas Alustiza (EUS, 214), Nickolas Zukowsky (PQT, 237) and Joan Bou (CJR, 242). The maximum advantage they managed to gain over the peloton was 3’ 05”. Joan Bou, the Caja Rural – Seguros RGA rider, picked up the most points on the mountain stages. Just as he did in the 2026 Itzulia, Bou was battling to win the mountains classification.
The peloton picked up the pace before tackling the climb up Jaizkibel, with the favourites battling to get into a good position at the start of the climb. At the start of the climb, the gap to the breakaway group was just 47” and as it got underway, there were several attacks from the peloton. Bart Lemmen (TVL, 15), Sean Quinn (EFE, 33) and Michael Leonard (EFE, 36) pulled away from the main group. Meanwhile, up at the front, Tim Rex (TVL, 16) was leading the race on his own. Jay Vine (UEX, 47) and Maxim Van Gils (RBH, 27) joined the leading group from the chase group that had broken away from the peloton. Behind them, Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe set the pace for the peloton to keep the breakaway from getting away. The gap to the leaders at the top of Jaizkibel was just 20 seconds.
On the descent, Lidl-Trek took the lead and managed to close the gap slightly. The lead group had regrouped into a group of six riders: Bart Lemmen (TVL, 15), Tim Rex (TVL, 16), Maxim Van Gils (RBH, 27), Sean Quinn (EFE), 33, Jay Vine (UEX, 47) and Lorenzo Quartucci (BBH, 173).
With 49 kilometres to go, just after leaving Hondarribia, Remco Evenepoel had to change his bike. Poor team management left him all by himself and he had to fight his way back on his own right up to the start of Erlaitz. The Belgian was 40 seconds behind the peloton. If Evenepoel wanted to win his 4th Clásica San Sebastián, he would have to make a remarkable comeback. He started to get support from some of his teammates on the climb, but he was already feeling the heat.
Up at the front, UAE Team Emirates XRG, Lidl Trek and Team Visma Lease a Bike were setting the pace. Louis Barré (TVL, 14) and Paul Double (JAY, 52) managed to pull slightly away from the peloton. With 1 kilometre to the summit, Evenepoel had still not caught up with the lead group. Before they reached the top of the climb, the group of favourites, led by Ciccone, caught up with the two breakaway riders.
The three-time winner of the Clásica was 35 seconds behind the lead group with 42 kilometres to go. The lead group was made up of 10 riders, including Giulio Ciccone (LTK, 1), Matteo Jorgenson (TVL, 11) and Louis Barré (TVL, 14), Maxim Van Gils (RBH, 27), Richard Carapaz (EFE, 31), Paul Double (JAY, 52), Felix Gall (DCT, 91), Léo Bisiaux (DCT, 93), Mathys Rondel (TUD, 134) and Enric Mas (MOV, 161).
With 33 kilometres to the finish line, Remco managed to catch up with the leading group. It was a remarkable performance by the Belgian rider. Not content with that, he instructed Maxim Van Gils to set the pace for the group.
The next few kilometres were relatively calm, after the nerves and tension of the climb up to Erlaitz and the subsequent regrouping. Van Gils continued to drive the group on following Remco’s instructions.
With just 13 kilometres to go, Arrieta picked up the pace before starting the final climb of the day. The group was really strung out due to the speed. Everyone wanted to be in a good position before the tough climbs up Murgil.
Evenepoel was the first to launch an attack, with Carapaz sticking close to his rear wheel. The two of them broke away on their own on the toughest part of the climb. Remco looked behind him, took a deep breath and tried again. The Ecuadorian rider from the EF Education First team was not showing any signs of weakness. The two of them reached the summit together, marking the start of a head-to-head race between the two of them, with 8 kilometres to go to the finish line. Giulio Ciccone was hot on their heels.
In the end, Remco Evenepoel managed to win the sprint on Boulevard de San Sebastian, and made history by winning his fourth Clásica San Sebastián, becoming the most successful rider in the race’s history, ahead of Marino Lejarreta. Richard Carapaz finished second, followed by Tulett in third.
Winners
First place: Remco Evenepoel (RBH, 21)
Second place: Richard Carapaz (EFE, 31)
Third place: Ben Tullet (TVL, 13)
Winner of the mountain prize: Lorenzo Quartucci (BBH, 173)
Sprint winner: Jay Vine (UEX, 47)
Best young rider: Jan Christen (UEX, 42)
Best Basque rider: Pello Bilbao (TBV, 191)
Best team: Team Visma | Lease a Bike
Most combative: Bart Lemmen (TVL, 15)
