Paul Seixas Makes History as Youngest Itzulia Winner; Andrew August Claims Stage 6 in Bergara

The 2026 Itzulia Basque Country concluded in a whirlwind of rain, tactical desperation, and historic breakthroughs. Paul Seixas cemented his place in the record books as the youngest rider ever to win the prestigious stage race, while American powerhouse Andrew August delivered a masterclass on the final day to secure his first WorldTour victory.

It was a finale defined by contrast: the raw, aggressive brilliance of August attacking the slopes of the Basque Country and the disciplined, high-pressure defense of Seixas, who navigated a chaotic final stage to keep his yellow jersey.

August Dazzles on the Road to Bergara

Stage 6 was designed for chaos. Spanning 135.2km from Goizper-Antuzola to Bergara, the route featured six categorized climbs and roads slick with rain. The conditions ensured the peloton never truly settled, even after an early breakaway featuring Marc Soler, Ben Healy, and Mattias Skjelmose established a significant gap.

The race exploded on the final ascent of the Alto de Asentzio. Andrew “AJ” August, the 20-year-old from Rochester representing Team INEOS Grenadiers, launched a decisive attack from the foot of the climb. He initially took Raúl García Pierna of the Movistar Team with him, but August found another gear, dropping the Spaniard with approximately 10km remaining to solo toward the finish.

August’s victory required more than just climbing legs; it demanded nerves of steel on a wet and technical descent into Bergara. He held his advantage to the line, crossing the finish 16 seconds ahead of García. Frank Van Den Broek (Team Picnic PostNL) and Gal Glivar (Alpecin-Premier Tech) followed a further 18 seconds behind.

For August, the win was a mental triumph as much as a physical one. “After the time trial I was having a bit of a tough week so I didn’t expect to win today,” August admitted. “But in my head I always keep the winning mentality and I was able to deliver a win today, which was incredible.”

Seixas Weathers the Storm for the Overall Title

While August celebrated a solo victory, Paul Seixas spent the final day in a fight for survival. The overnight leader faced a “dantesco” finale, finding himself isolated and chasing as rivals attempted to overturn his lead.

The pressure mounted as Tobias Halland Johannessen of Uno-X Mobility pushed the pace, supported by four teammates working to secure a podium spot. Seixas was forced into a stressful chase to limit Johannessen’s gains, eventually finishing the stage 4 minutes and 15 seconds behind August.

Despite the time loss on the stage, Seixas’s earlier advantages proved sufficient. He secured the overall title with a 2-minute and 30-second lead over Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Tobias Halland Johannessen took third place, trailing Seixas by 2 minutes and 33 seconds.

Itzulia Basque Country 2026 Final Podium

• 1st Place: Paul Seixas
• 2nd Place: Florian Lipowitz (+2’30”)
• 3rd Place: Tobias Halland Johannessen (+2’33”)

A Historic Milestone for French Cycling

Seixas’s victory is more than just a personal achievement; This proves a landmark moment for French cycling. His triumph marks the first time in 19 years that a French rider has won a WorldTour stage race. The last such victory occurred in 2007, when Christophe Moreau won the Critérium du Dauphiné.

By becoming the youngest winner in the history of the Itzulia, Seixas has signaled a changing of the guard in the professional peloton, proving he can handle the tactical complexity and physical brutality of the Basque terrain under immense pressure.

Bittersweet Departures and Tactical Shifts

The final day also served as a poignant moment for the sport. At the sign-on desk, veteran Pello Bilbao announced his retirement from professional cycling at the end of the season, marking the end of an era for one of the region’s most respected competitors.

Tactically, the stage highlighted the aggression of the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe squad, with Lipowitz putting the race leader under constant pressure. The race also saw a strong showing from Uno-X Mobility, whose coordinated efforts nearly bridged the gap for Johannessen.

With the 2026 Itzulia now concluded, the cycling world turns its attention to the next phase of the season as these young stars look to translate their Basque success into the Grand Tours.

What do you reckon of Paul Seixas’s historic win? Is he the next great French GC contender? Let us know in the comments below.