Clasica San Sebastian 2026 preview | Can Remco Evenepoel claim a record fourth victory?
CyclingThursday, 30 July 2026 at 07:49
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleOngi etorri berriro ere Euskal Herrira! Welcome back to the Basque Country, home to the most iconic race in northern Spain and the only one-day event on the Iberian Peninsula at UCI WorldTour level. The 2026 Clásica San Sebastián promises another traditional battle between riders carrying their Tour de France form into Spain and fresher contenders who have built their campaigns around the second half of the season. IDL Pro Cycling looks ahead to Saturday’s race.
ADVERTISEMENT
Is the Clásica San Sebastián one of the most unpredictable classics on the calendar? Several major names have won in recent years, but its position immediately after the Tour de France has also created opportunities for surprise winners. American Neilson Powless triumphed in 2021, while riders such as Luis León Sánchez and Tony Gallopin also feature on the relatively recent roll of honor.
Remco Evenepoel is the joint record holder in San Sebastián with three victories. Only legendary Basque rider Marino Lejarreta has also won his home classic three times. Evenepoel is back on the start line in 2026, so can he become the first rider to claim a fourth victory?
Recent winners of the Clásica de San Sebastián
2025 Giulio Ciccone
2024 Marc Hirschi
2023 Remco Evenepoel
2022 Remco Evenepoel
2021 Neilson Powless
2020 Cancelled
2019 Remco Evenepoel
2018 Julian Alaphilippe
2017 Michael Kwiatkowski
2016 Bauke Mollema
2024 Marc Hirschi
2023 Remco Evenepoel
2022 Remco Evenepoel
2021 Neilson Powless
2018 Julian Alaphilippe
2017 Michael Kwiatkowski
2016 Bauke Mollema
Route, favorites daily wins and times - 2026 Clásica de San Sebastián
It is often the same recipe with a slightly different flavor. That, in a nutshell, is the story of the Clásica San Sebastián. Most of the 2026 route remains familiar, although the organizers have introduced several small adjustments. The race will once again start and finish in the Basque coastal city of San Sebastián.
That is where the real fun begins. A few smaller hills bring the peloton to the first proper climb of the day, the Kalbario. It is a new and relatively unfamiliar climb on the route, while the Azkarate is also frequently left out. They provide useful warm-ups for the real work ahead, measuring 2.2 kilometres at 8 per cent and 4.2 kilometres at 7.3 per cent respectively.
The Urraki is a more familiar climb in the region. It is also the longest ascent of the day, at 8.5 kilometres with an average gradient of 6.9 per cent. The Alkiza follows soon afterwards, measuring 4.4 kilometres at 6.2 per cent. The peloton will then travel along somewhat flatter roads and pass through San Sebastián again, after which the race’s iconic finale will begin.
The Jaizkibel was once the decisive climb, but its summit now comes a little more than 60 kilometres from the finish. At 7.9 kilometres and 5.6 per cent, it is not a killer, but it does add considerably to the day’s total elevation. The Erlaitz that follows, however, is an absolute leg-breaker: 3.8 kilometres at 11 per cent, with sections reaching as steep as 17 per cent!
The riders will cross the finish line once before completing a short final circuit. There is only one climb inside the final 21 kilometres, but the Murgil is another killer. It is 2 kilometres long and averages an irregular 9.8 per cent, with numerous short sections rising well above 15 per cent. The descent is fairly technical, but the summit of the Murgil is only 8 kilometres from the finish. From there, it is only a short run to the line.
Weather
Ideal racing weather in the Basque Country! Conditions can sometimes be unpredictable, but temperatures in San Sebastián are expected to reach around 25 degrees Celsius, with only a small chance of rain. A light breeze will blow in from the Bay of Biscay, providing some cooling.
Ideal racing weather in the Basque Country! Conditions can sometimes be unpredictable, but temperatures in San Sebastián are expected to reach around 25 degrees Celsius, with only a small chance of rain. A light breeze will blow in from the Bay of Biscay, providing some cooling.
Times
Start: 11:13 a.m. CET
Finish: approximately 4:45 p.m. CET
Favorites - 2026 Clásica de San Sebastián
The position of the Clásica San Sebastián on the calendar, so soon after the Tour de France, is both a blessing and a curse. Some riders do not see the Spanish race fitting into their schedules. Others still feel strong after the Tour de France. One of them is Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe has already won the race three times and came out of the Tour in excellent condition.
He will undoubtedly be the leading favourite, but there is certainly plenty of competition. Visma | Lease a Bike arrives with a combination of Tour stars and fresh riders. Matteo Jorgenson travels to Spain from France, while Ben Tulett and Louis Barré have taken a different route. Lidl-Trek brings former winner Bauke Mollema, but will mainly look towards the in-form Quinn Simmons, Thibau Nys, Derek Gee-West and, of course, defending champion Giulio Ciccone.
Ciccone defeated Jan Christen last year, and the Swiss UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider will return this time. With Jhonatan Narváez, Jay Vine, Benoît Cosnefroy and Igor Arrieta, however, the team has no shortage of options. Felix Gall will also make his first appearance since the Giro d’Italia, although Decathlon CMA CGM can additionally rely on Noa Isidore and Gregor Mühlberger.
Mikel Landa of Soudal Quick-Step is another rider returning after a lengthy injury absence. The Basque will receive support from Mauri Vansevenant, Filippo Zana, Andrea Raccagni Noviero and—provided he has recovered from his Tour crash—Ilan Van Wilder. Home team Movistar has riders such as Enric Mas and Cian Uijtdebroeks. Another Basque contender is Pello Bilbao of Bahrain Victorious.
Bilbao finished second in 2023, but in this field his team may place greater emphasis on riders such as Lenny Martinez and Afonso Eulálio. Lotto-Intermarché has Lennert Van Eetvelt and Jarno Widar as its main contenders, while Pinarello-Q36.5 will look to Quinten Hermans and Thomas Gloag. Oscar Onley returns for Netcompany INEOS after his crash in June, with Thymen Arensman also starting for the team.
Max Poole will be tasked with helping struggling Picnic PostNL out of trouble, while Cofidis has Dylan Teuns, Ion Izagirre, Alex Aranburu and Simon Carr. XDS Astana once again brings a versatile team to the Basque Country, featuring Christian Scaroni, Clément Champoussin, Thomas Silva and Simone Velasco. Jayco AlUla can rely on Paul Double, Luke Plapp and Mauro Schmid.
Alex Baudin and Ben Healy of EF Education-EasyPost will also be present. Evenepoel will not be travelling to San Sebastián alone either: Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe is bringing an exceptionally strong squad, with Primož Roglič, Giulio Pellizzari and Maxim Van Gils also taking part.
IDL Pro Cycling top picks - 2026 Clásica de San Sebastián?
Top Favorite: Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe)
Dark horses: Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek), Jan Christen, Benoit Cosnefroy (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla), and Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious)
Long shots: Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana), Maxim Van Gils, Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Matteo Jorgenson, Ben Tulett (Visma | Lease a Bike), Thymen Arensman, Oscar Onley (Netcompany INEOS), Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM), Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), Filippo Zana (Soudal Quick-Step), Enric Mas, Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar), Lennert Van Eetvelt, Jarno Widar (Lotto-Intermarché), and Ion Izagirre (Cofidis)
How to watch Clasica San Sebastian 2026 on TV?
This Saturday’s Clásica San Sebastián is somewhat overshadowed by the Tour de France Femmes. That race means the Basque classic will not be shown on conventional television in the Netherlands, so cycling fans will have to watch online through HBO Max. Coverage begins at 3.00 p.m. CET
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
Ferrand-Prévot arrives at Tour de France Femmes lighter, meticulously prepared and remarkably relaxed
Despite Kuss and Simmons's best efforts, America comes away from the 2026 Tour de France winless again
A horrific injury stopped him walking for two years, but now the Norwegian Champion has finished the Tour de France
Lance Armstrong outraged by Vingegaard and Pogačar doping controversy: ‘2AM is a human rights issue’
2026 Tour de France stage 10 preview | Can Vingegaard repeat his Le Lioran victory over Pogacar?
Latest Cycling News
Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert have not raced together in 2026—but will meet in Denmark
Tadej Pogačar reveals hilarious Tour de France dream about ‘crazy downhill’ with Mathieu van der Poel
New Zealand champion and former Visma talent Kim Cadzow retires from cycling at 24
Ferrand-Prévot arrives at Tour de France Femmes lighter, meticulously prepared and remarkably relaxed
Demi Vollering feels alone in menstruation debate: ‘I wish more riders would speak out’
Popular Cycling News
Tadej Pogačar reflects on that frantic final KM against Van der Poel in Paris: 'There was no communication'
How Visma | Lease a Bike planned to beat Pogačar at the Tour de France: ‘He looked less brilliant than usual’
Greg LeMond demolishes Lance Armstrong's Pogačar threory: 'Lance didn't have talent'
Everyone is raving about Tour de France sensation Seixas, but Patrick Lefevere has doubts: 'Can’t skip any steps'
Van Aert assesses Vingegaard's crash and Visma's Tour performance: 'That had an impact on the race'
Latest Comments
- The headline mentions a 'menstruation debate,' but the article doesn't mention the debate or even what the issue is. The writer and the editor need to do better.rjb29-07-2026
- - Vamos Tadej! Poetry on wheels. C’est magnifique, bravo campione!robert6528-07-2026
- - Merckx saying no competition feels off—what about Vingegaard in full form, and Roglic on the Giro/Vuelta blocks? There’s competition, just inconsistent due to crashes and form peaks. Still, Tadej is the most versatile since Indurain.breakawaybikerd28-07-2026
- - So Pogacar has five Tours already, but why is that a bigger deal than, say, winning the World Championships? Are the Grand Tours ranked differently?samanthak28-07-2026
- - Brilliant piece. You captured how he meters effort on long climbs and still rips everyone off the wheel. Also love the nod to Tour de l’Avenir—people forget how early he was bossing stages.tourdeforce928-07-2026
- - Slightly sceptical about the “win all three Grand Tours in one season” bit. The calendar density and recovery windows are still brutal, even with modern prep. Would love it, but sounds a tad romantic from Eddy.andrewf28-07-2026
- - Goosebumps reading Hinault and Merckx basically anointing Pogacar. Five Tours by 27 is bonkers. The Alpe d’Huez comparison to Pantani’s time… that’s era-adjusted or raw time? If raw, that’s massive given modern pacing and wind.jeremya28-07-2026
- - Not sure I buy the “Lance had no talent” line. That’s a bit extreme from LeMond. You can condemn the methods without rewriting the guy’s baseline physiology. Still, Pog is the real deal, no asterisks.cadencekingm28-07-2026
- - Loved LeMond on the podium, 40 years on. Class act. But the article downplays how much Pog’s handling and race craft matter—he’s not just watts, he’s a killer descender and positions flawlessly into crosswinds.jeremya28-07-2026
- - Quick question: when they mention VO2 max, what kind of numbers are we talking for Pogacar compared to, say, peak Froome or Indurain? Is there public data or just educated guesses?robert6528-07-2026
Loading