- The 64th edition of the Itzulia will feature an impressive lineup of entrants
- Presentation of new Itzulia winners’ jersey designs
The Itzulia Basque Country 2025 was today, 26 March, officially presented at the Ondare Center, in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The event was attended by Baskonia Group officials; Gorka Iturriaga, Director of Physical Activity and Sport at the Basque Government; Juan Ramón Rey, Regional Director for Bizkaia, Alava and Cantabria; Marta Pastor, Director of Sports at the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, among others.
Jesús Vázquez is Director of Institutional Relations for the Baskonia Alavés Group, commented at the presentation that, “We’re delighted to be part of the Itzulia this year, and are looking forward to the start of the race and being able to enjoy the best international cyclists at such an important location for Baskonia fans, the Buesa Arena. The combination of cycling and basketball represents a large section of our fanbase and we are convinced that the stage will linger on in the memories of fans of both sports”.
Javier Riaño, the newly appointed president of the organizing association OCETA, took the opportunity at the event—attended by all those who make Itzulia’s continued growth possible—to express his deepest gratitude. Acknowledging city councils, institutions, sponsors, volunteers, fans, and friends of the race, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you for all your support – without your help, this race would not have been possible. Thank you to everyone who helps us, believes in Itzulia, and loves cycling”. He also took the opportunity to “invite new private companies to join and collaborate with the three races. “Their support, through sponsorship, is essential for ensuring the future of Itzulia”.
Juan Ramón Rey of Banco Sabadell highlighted the bank’s long-standing commitment, stating, “Banco Sabadell began its collaboration 14 years ago, and since then, our brand has been proudly associated with this sporting event, with which we deeply identify.” “For Banco Sabadell, being part of Itzulia is a true honour and privilege, as it allows us to take an active role in a sporting event deeply rooted in the region. At the same time, it enables us to embrace and promote the values it represents, such as perseverance, teamwork, and self-improvement”.
The Director of Physical Activity and Sport, Gorka Iturriaga, emphasised that the Itzulia Basque Country is “the most important international cycling event in our annual calendar”. “This event places us on the global stage, another key element of our #EUSKADIGLOBAL. The Itzulia Basque Country showcases a unique way of experiencing cycling as a nation. A distinctive and unparalleled style. Our ingredients are locally sourced, distinctive, and straightforward, yet of the highest quality. A unique fanbase, a renowned and constantly evolving organisation, established clubs, and a public-private sporting ecosystem that consistently delivers results at the highest level. We hope that once again this event will inspire us to cheer from the sidelines with a resounding AUPA! May we once again feel the excitement with our peloton and homegrown txirrindularis, and may our region once again become the ultimate stage for international cycling at the highest level.
The Director of Sports for the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Marta Pastor, emphasised the significance of this event for our region, highlighting that “the Itzulia is a platform that showcases our passion for sport, our culture, and our landscapes to the world”. Gipuzkoa has a strong historical connection with cycling, and events like this reinforce our commitment to promoting sport and values such as work, self-improvement, and teamwork. At the Provincial Council, we continue to support initiatives that bring sport closer to the public and strengthen the positive impact of cycling in our region.
Ibon Barberia, Director of Communications at Echemar Transport, commented, “As a Basque company, we recognise that the social impact in our region is crucial, both for the present and as an example for the younger generation”. Therefore, we must take part in and support these sporting events, which also help place us on the world map. In turn, our company contributes not only our trucks but also our image and support for the organisation.
Dressing the champions
Gobik will once again provide the jerseys for the overall leaders of the Itzulia. The 2025 edition retains four distinctive jerseys: the yellow jersey for the overall winner, sponsored by Banco Sabadell; the mountain jersey (Basotik Fundazioa) ; the consistency jersey (Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa); and the best young rider jersey (Euskadi Basque Country).
In this edition, Gobik presents a special jersey for sale featuring an image of the Itzulia, allowing fans to wear a piece of the event on all their outings.
Six stages of the world’s best cycling
The Itzulia Basque Country 2025 will be held from 7 to 12 April between Vitoria-Gasteiz and Éibar over a total of six stages. The 64th edition of the race will pass through the towns of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Pamplona-Iruña, Lodosa, Zarautz, Beasain, Markina-Xemein, Urduña, Gernika-Lumo, and Éibar, covering a total of 864.70 kilometres.
It is expected that on 6 April, at the start from Buesa Arena, riders such as Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma), Ben Healy (EF Education – Easypost), Maximilian Schachmann and Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step), Florian Lipowitz, Daniel Felipe Martinez, and Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Enric Mas, Pablo Castrillo, and Javier Romo (Movistar Team), Joao Almeida, Igor Arrieta, Isaac del Toro, and Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates), Omar Fraile and Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers), Alex Aranburu and Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Peio Bilbao and Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious), and Marc Hirschi (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), among others, will be present.
Itzulia Basque Challenge
Following two years of great success, the third edition of the Itzulia bicycle touring event will take place on 13 April. Participants can again experience what it feels like to ride a World Tour-class event. It will offer two route options, with the first being the same route that the professionals will race on during the main stage of the Itzulia. This route will be 153.4 kilometres long, with more than 3800 metres of elevation gain. The riders will be put to the test on this tough route with its 7 mountain passes. The second option, the Medio Fondo, will cover 82.2 kilometres with 2,100 metres of elevation gain, featuring four mountain passes – two of which are category 1 and the other two are category 3.
