- Alex Aranburu wins the third stage of the Itzulia
- Max Schachmann retains the yellow jersey
- UCI judges award victory to Alex Aranburu
Itzulia 2025: Stage Three from Zarautz to Beasain A wholly Gipuzkoan stage covering 155 kilometres. Following the first two stages, the race enters its first challenging phase, with seven scoring mountain passes on the route. Given its steep gradients and challenging climbs, this stage could be regarded as the queen stage, together with stage six.
The peloton set off along the coast, with numerous breakaway attempts early on, but it wasn’t until after the descent of the Andazarrate Pass, at kilometre 48, that a move finally stuck. A lone rider, Bruno Armirail (DAT, 61), led the race with a maximum advantage of one minute and thirty seconds over the peloton.
The high pace set by the UAE Team Emirates-XRG gave Bruno Armirail (DAT, 61) no opportunity to extend his lead. João Almeida (UAD, 1) and Isaac Del Toro (UAD, 4) led their team in setting a blistering pace, aiming to make the stage fast and drop riders ahead of the finale. The gap between the breakaway and the main group stood at 40 seconds. During the ascent to Santa Águeda (Cat. 2), Pello Bilbao (TBV, 31) and others lost contact with the peloton. During the descent, he made an effort to get back to the group, but ultimately failed to close the gap.
The fierce pace at the front saw Isaac Del Toro (UAD, 4), Aleksandr Vlasov (RBH, 4), and Sepp Kuss (TVL, 202) edge ahead, gaining a few metres on the peloton. Movistar Team and Soudal Quick-Step quickly bridged the gap. With 72 kilometres to go, Bruno Armirail (DAT, 61) was reeled in by the peloton.
After the breakaway was neutralised, UAD Team Emirates-XRG launched further attacks on the climb to Mandubia (Cat. 2), beginning with Brandon McNulty (UAD, 6) and then Isaac Del Toro (UAD, 4) The stage was packed with action. Florian Lipowitz (RBH, 71) set a fierce pace, trying to break away from the chasing group that featured João Almeida (UAD, 1). He couldn’t hold on to his lead. At this point, race leader Max Schachmann (SOQ, 144) was losing a few seconds. The attacks were relentless throughout the climb.
With 63 kilometres to go, João Almeida (UAD, 1), Brandon McNulty (UAD, 6), Mattias Skjelmose (LTK, 27), Enric Mas (MOV, 81), Nelson Oliveira (MOV, 86), and Harold Tejada (XAT, 226) were 12 seconds ahead of the rest of the peloton, which included the yellow jersey and key riders from Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe. Vlasov and Lipowitz closed the gap, but the Almeida team’s momentum proved irresistible. The entire peloton was lined up in single file.
During the descent to Segura, Marc Soler (UAD, 7), Clément Berthet (DAT, 62), and Rudy Molard (GFC, 125) managed to open up a small gap. As the peloton eased off, the breakaway gained a one-minute advantage with 50 kilometres to go. Following the break, several riders rejoined the peloton.
As the climb to Gaintza began, Clément Berthet (DAT, 62) was alone at the front. The main favourites kept things in check behind, but no one made a move on the punishing 20% gradients. The yellow jersey stayed with the peloton.
With 26 kilometres to go and a one-minute gap to the breakaway, Max Schachmann (SOQ, 144) launched an attack on the flat, but it proved unsuccessful. Moments earlier, João Almeida (UAD, 1) lost contact with the main group, along with Alex Aranburu (COF, 51) and Enric Mas (MOV, 81). The Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe team seized the opportunity and surged ahead, opening a 30-second gap over the chasing group.
The last climb, Lazkaomendi, would determine the stage’s conclusion. The gap shrank to 20 seconds between the breakaway and the main group, which was joined by João Almeida’s group. As the riders weaved up the climb, Schachmann reacted to one of Lipowitz’s attacks, staying on his wheel. The yellow jersey looked strong. The distances between the riders were negligible. With 6 kilometres to the finish and just 1 kilometre to the summit of Lazkaomendi, Clément Berthet (DAT, 62) was caught.
Behind them, Alex Aranburu (COF, 51), Enric Mas (MOV, 81), and João Almeida (UAD, 1) were in pursuit. The Cofidis rider from Gipuzkoa made a strong move, which was quickly followed by a surge from Romain Grégoire (GFC, 122) and the yellow jersey. The descent started, and they were soon heading into the streets of Beasain to face the final stretch.
On a steep climb, the Portuguese UAE Emirates rider made a change of pace and gained a few metres on the others Only 4 kilometres remaining. Behind, Aranburu attempted to close the gap, followed by a group of around 15 riders.
With one kilometre to go, Alex Aranburu gained a few metres’ advantage and managed to cross the finish line ahead of Romain Grégoire (GFC, 122). Following a review by the VAR officials, Alex Aranburu was disqualified for incorrectly navigating one of the last roundabouts. This allowed Romain Grégoire (GFC, 122) to secure his second Itzulia win.
Hours later, after several objections, the team of stewards decided to return the stage victory to Alex Aranburu. The statement read as follows:
“Following the initial footage received, we made the decision to disqualify rider number 51 for ‘Deviation from the race route constituting an advantage,’ as the images appeared to show that the rider had taken the roundabout in a way that was deviating from the signposted route.
However, after receiving and reviewing additional evidence, including data from Veloviewer, the roadbook, and the team, it became clear that all available information indicated that the roundabout in question was to be taken in the manner chosen by the Cofidis rider.
In accordance with Article 1.2.064 of the UCI regulations, which states that “Riders shall study the course in advance”. In this case, the rider correctly followed the indicated path.
Furthermore, the rider’s advantage continued to increase after exiting the roundabout and all the way to the finish line.
The race organiser was also consulted and confirmed that there had been a signage error at the roundabout in question.
Therefore, the Commissaires’ Panel has decided to overturn its initial decision, and the rider’s passage over the finish line is confirmed as valid”.
Max Schachmann retains the yellow jersey.
