Natnael Tesfatsion beats favourite Giulio Ciccone to win Circuito de Getxo
CyclingSunday, 02 August 2026 at 17:27
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Follow us on GoogleNatnael Tesfatsion has won the Circuito de Getxo. The 27-year-old Eritrean was the fastest in a sprint from a reduced group. Pre-race favourite Giulio Ciccone had attacked earlier and therefore chose not to rely on his sprint. The Lidl-Trek Italian was unable to make the move stick, however, and eventually had to settle for sixth place.
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The Circuito de Getxo served as Sunday’s traditional follow-up to the Clásica San Sebastián, which had been won by Remco Evenepoel on Saturday. Ciccone had also finished sixth there, but with several major names absent, he was still regarded as the rider to beat in the race from Bilbao to Getxo, covering just over 172 kilometres.
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The hilly course consisted of two different circuits, each completed twice, and reached its decisive point on the Alto Pike. The Basque climb measures two kilometres and has an average gradient of 9.6 per cent. Before the race reached that point, however, an eleven-rider breakaway had gone clear, while Lidl-Trek controlled the peloton on behalf of Ciccone.
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Oomen launches Ciccone, but the move falls short
Sam Oomen increased the pace for his leader on the approach to the final ascent of the Alto Pike. Ciccone attacked one kilometre from the summit and briefly appeared to be riding clear alone. Marcel Camprubí of Pinarello-Q36.5 was able to counter, however, and that proved costly for Ciccone, who never managed to establish effective cooperation with the Spaniard.
A large group consequently returned to the front, and nobody managed to escape again. The race therefore came down to a sprint, with Bahrain Victorious and Cofidis leading the approach. Movistar ultimately claimed the victory, though, as Tesfatsion produced an impressively explosive finish. Bahrain Victorious rider Pau Miquel crossed the line in second place.
Kevin Vermaerke finished tenth, an impressive result after the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider had crashed earlier in the race. Alex Aranburu of Cofidis, Camprubí and Polti VisitMalta’s Ludovico Crescioli completed the top five, with Ciccone finishing sixth. The next Spanish race begins shortly, with the Vuelta a Burgos next on the calendar.
Circuito de Getxo 2026 Results
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.
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Latest Comments
- Winng by Losing, Pogi gives back while paying it forward.. Chapeau!rjb02-08-2026
- I suggest that the contract discussions have been put off not because Del Toro and his representitives expect UAE to sign Seixas, which I consider highly unlikely, but rather because he and his reps don't want to set a ceiling on a new contract until they see the size and length of Seixas' deal. That, or so it seems to me, is the actual reason for Del Toro putting off talks on an extension. Because the idea that Seixas would sign with a team that already has three young world-class GC contenders, including the G.O.A.T., seems far-fetched, if not completely ludicrous.rjb31-07-2026
- No disrespect toward Jonas, but his problem, vis-a-vis Tadej, may not be solvable. Tadej didn't only excell in explosiveness, he also demolished Jonas on a crucial descent. And, lest we forget, Pogi didn't have any trouble winning both the Giro and the Tour last year. Moreover, his explanation regarding poor planning by the Visma team, also strikes me as questionable, given all the experience and expertise in the Visma group. Again, no disrespect toward Jonas, a valid champion and a fine human being.rjb31-07-2026
- 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
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