Paul Seixas has become the youngest rider ever to win the Itzulia.
AJ August won the final stage from a large breakaway.
The podium was made up of Paul Seixas, Florian Lipowitz and Tobias Halland Johannessen.
And so we reach the final stage of the Itzulia Basque Country, starting in Goizper-Antuzola and finishing in Bergara. A short circuit stage comprising two laps and featuring a total of six climbs.
The day began with the news that Pello Bilbao will retire from professional cycling at the end of the season. He announced it himself at the sign-on desk. At the start line, the riders were gearing themselves up for an exciting, rain-soaked stage.
In the opening kilometres, a breakaway of three strong riders formed: Marc Soler (UAD, 37), Mattias Skjelmose (LTK, 46), Ben Healy (EFE, 171). They were 1 minute and 20 seconds ahead of the peloton when a chasing group of 32 riders formed, including five riders from Uno-X Mobility working to secure a podium finish for Tobias Halland Johannessen (UXM, 202). The peloton allowed the breakaway to go clear, with the yellow jersey team always riding at the front. The leaders were 4 minutes ahead of the main group, and 1 minute 30 seconds ahead of the chasing group.
On the second ascent to Gorla, Romo attacked from the peloton. He saw an opportunity to move up in the general classification and in the team standings. This prompted the other favourites to respond, including the ever-active Lipowitz, who put the race leader under pressure. Izagirre was able to follow the early attacks from the Red Bull–Bora–hansgrohe rider.
The breakaway’s lead was shrinking as the peloton increased the pace. Seixas remained very strong and never dropped back during the attacks. The leader was feeling strong and launched such a powerful attack that no one else could keep up with him. Seixas was once again looking to make a decisive move, breaking away on his own with 57 kilometres to go.
The yellow jersey rider surged ahead without looking back, reducing the gap to 2 minutes and 40 seconds behind the leading trio. It was unlikely he’d be able to challenge for the stage. Up ahead, the Uno-X Mobility team held their pace as they battled for a podium finish. Skjelmose, Soler and Healy were still leading the race, 1 minute ahead of the second group. Only 40 kilometres remaining.
The field was completely split into groups. Soler was instructed to drop back to the chasing group to support Igor Arrieta. That same group caught the two breakaway riders with 23 kilometres to go. At that point, the leader was 2 minutes and 15 seconds behind the leading group.
On the final climb of the day, the attacks resumed, forming a split from the breakaway group. AJ August (IGD, 181) and Raúl García Pierna (MOV, 94) opened up a 15-second gap over the rest of the breakaway group. Seixas was unable to keep up and was losing time; he was already 3 minutes and 20 seconds behind the race leader, although still maintained his advantage over the other favourites.
The stage was decided on the climb to Asentzio. With 1 kilometre to go, García Pierna lost contact with the INEOS Grenadiers rider, and the Briton sprinted solo to the finish line in Bergara to raise his arms in victory.
Seixas secured his first overall World Tour victory and became the youngest rider ever to win the Itzulia. The podium was completed by Florian Lipowitz and Tobias Halland Johannessen.
Standings after Stage 6
Stage winner: AJ August (IGD, 181)
General Classification: Paul Seixas (DCT, 61)
Second place: Florian Lipowitz (RBH, 53)
Third place: Tobias Halland Johannessen (UXM, 202)
Mountain classification: Paul Seixas (DCT, 61)
Points classification: Paul Seixas (DCT, 61)
Young rider classification: Paul Seixas (DCT, 61)
Teams classification: Movistar Team
Award for Fighting Spirit: Mattias Skjelmose (LTK, 46)
