The Seminarixoa hosted the event on 26 March, with institutional representatives and organisers in attendance.
Ayuso, del Toro, Seixas and Roglič are among those set to start in Bilbao on 6 April.
The Itzulia Basque Country 2026 was today, 26 March, officially presented at the Seminarixoa in Bergara. Representatives from various organisations and sponsors, along with members of the organising committee, attended the event for the launch of this year’s race.
Speakers at the event included Gorka Artola of Bergara Town Council, Javier Riaño, president of OCETA, Gorka Iturriaga, Director of Physical Activity and Sport for the Basque Government, representatives from the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and Basotik, Ibon Barberia, Communications Director at Echemar, and Joseba Urkiola of EITB.
During the presentation, organisers reviewed the already announced route for the 2026 edition, as well as unveiling the official song and the provisional race number list.
Gorka Artola, mayor of Bergara, said: “Here in Bergara, we are very clear that the Itzulia is more than just a top-level sporting spectacle. It means far more than that. It offers an opportunity to showcase the identity, culture and values of our people and, more broadly, of the Basque Country to the world. The Itzulia’s widespread following, both at home and abroad, will put Bergara and Debagoiena on the map, highlighting their landscape, history and people to audiences worldwide. All of which is undoubtedly a source of pride for us.”
He added that “this year brings an extra reason to celebrate: the 50th anniversary of el barro. Six months of hard work is a considerable achievement. Lokatza has fostered and strengthened cycling culture in the country, bringing generations together and promoting the values of sport such as effort, discipline and camaraderie. Hosting the final stage in Bergara is a fitting tribute to both Lokatza and the town’s deep-rooted cycling tradition.”
Javier Riaño, president of OCETA, said the 65th edition of the Itzulia promises to be a spectacular event, replete with mountain stages and top-class riders. Pogacar and Vingegaard won’t be competing, but other riders are emerging as contenders in one of cycling’s great races, including Ayuso and Del Toro. He added that “the race continues to grow thanks to new partnerships with brands and companies. It is also expanding year on year, which is a positive sign for cycling in the Basque Country and excellent news for the race’s future, ensuring it will continue for many years to come.”
Gorka Iturriaga, Director of Physical Activity and Sport for the Basque Government, praised the important work of the Itzulia organisers: “Organising a high-level competition with increasingly demanding and complex requirements calls for exceptional organisation. That is why I want to recognise that work today.”
The director also invited fans to enjoy the Itzulia and fill the streets and roads with ikurriñas.
Roberto Ramajo, Director of Sport at the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, said “the Itzulia once again demonstrates the enormous popularity of cycling in Gipuzkoa and the region’s ability to support major sporting events. For the Sports Department of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, supporting the race means backing an approach to sport closely tied to hard work, passion and pride. Beyond its international reach, the Itzulia generates activity, raises Gipuzkoa’s profile abroad and strengthens the connection between sport and the local community”.
Joseba Urkiola, speaking for EITB, said “the Itzulia is one of the broadcaster’s most important events of the year. It anchors us in the world and serves as the foundation and cornerstone of our identity. That is why we go all out at every event. Once again this year, we will be using cutting-edge technology to provide extensive coverage on television, radio and online.”
“Starting in Bilbao and finishing in Bergara, EITB will be a key partner and a key promotional tool.”
Ibon Barberia, Echemar’s Communications Director, said “sponsoring the Itzulia is not just about supporting a voluntary organisation, nor simply about promoting sport or showcasing the region, which remains appealing even in the rain. Sponsoring the Itzulia also means supporting a way of doing, experiencing and preserving things over time, grounded in a fundamental value passed down through generations in our homes and farmsteads: el auzolan or communal work.”
“We are fully involved in the organisation, from early morning to late evening throughout the week. But we also know how to enjoy it with the same intensity: in the run-up, through the preparations; during the event, with the excitement of the competition; and afterwards, by transforming the venue in a matter of hours, from one part of our historic territory to another, maintaining the highest operational standards and a level of human performance that grows year on year, thanks to the experience gained through our daily work,” he concluded.
The Itzulia Basque Country continues to strengthen its place on the WorldTour calendar while maintaining close ties with the region through local institutions, sponsors and the fans who attend every edition.
Dressing the champions
Gobik will once again provide the kit for the overall leaders of the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country. The four distinctive jerseys remain: the yellow jersey for the overall leader, sponsored by Euskadi Basque Country; the mountains jersey, sponsored by Basotik Fundazioa; the best time-trialist jersey, sponsored by the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa; and the best young rider jersey, sponsored by EITB.
Six stages of the world’s best cycling
The 2026 Itzulia Basque Country will take place in April across six stages, maintaining its usual format on the WorldTour calendar. The route, unveiled earlier, will once again wind through towns across the Basque Country and neighbouring regions, covering a total of 810.1 kilometres. Riders will face more than 16,154 metres of cumulative climbing, including 29 mountain passes: four first-category, seven second-category and 18 third-category ascents
The race will feature teams and riders of the highest international calibre, including: Juan Ayuso, Thibau Nys and Mattias Skjelmose of LIDL-TREK; Maximilian Schachmann and Mikel Landa of SOUDAL QUICK-STEP; Isaac del Toro of UAE TEAM EMIRATES XRG; Primož Roglič of RED BULL – BORA – HANSGROHE; Paul Seixas of DECATHLON CMA CGM TEAM; Cian Uijtdebroeks of MOVISTAR TEAM; Pello Bilbao and Antonio Tiberi of BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS; Alex Aranburu and Ion Izagirre of COFIDIS; and Ben Healy of EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST, among others.
Itzulia Basque Challenge
The Itzulia Basque Challenge cycle tour will return in 2026 following its success in previous years. This year, the race will both start and finish in Bergara. The event will once again feature two courses designed for different ability levels, giving participants the chance to experience something akin to a professional race.
The main route will trace the path of the final stage of the Itzulia, featuring a demanding course in both distance and total elevation gain. The event will offer two route options to cater to all ability levels:
- World Tour route: 133.8 km with 3,000 m of climbing
- Medium-distance route: 70.2 km with +1,650 m of climbing
