Itzulia
Basque Country
Itzulia Basque Country (Vuelta al País Vasco) is a six-stage UCI WorldTour race that ran April 6-11, 2026, starting in Bilbao and finishing in Bergara. The total distance was around 809km across unrelentingly hilly Basque Country terrain. The 2026 edition followed the traditional formula: five punishing road stages loaded with short, steep climbs, plus an individual time trial. Basque roads are narrow, technical and often wet at this time of year, making Itzulia one of the hardest one-week races on the calendar.
Where to watch
⚠️ Spoiler warning: live streams and broadcaster home pages may show current standings. Disable autoplay & avoid sidebar recommendations on YouTube.
The route, day by day
Who to watch & what to watch for
Top Starters
Jerseys
Fight for the overall
Narratives to watch
- One of the hardest one-week races on the calendar - attrition is relentless
- Key Ardennes Classics tune-up for April's Monument contenders
- Basque weather (wet, cold) often a decisive factor
- Final-week Giro d'Italia preparation for many GC riders
Form book & lore
Itzulia Basque Country dates to 1924 and is a fixture of the WorldTour. Past winners include Alberto Contador, Alejandro Valverde, Primož Roglič, Jonas Vingegaard and other all-time greats. The race is famous for its passionate Basque fans and short, vicious climbs.
When to tune in
Coverage on Eurosport/GCN+ in Europe, ETB Basque public TV, and various WorldTour broadcast partners. Highlights on the Itzulia YouTube channel. Stages are short by WorldTour standards but packed with climbing - expect a climbing spectacle every day.