Ion Izagirre and Pello Bilbao returned to competition at the 54th Gran Premio Internacional de Ciclocross de Ormaiztegi in the Goierri region after ending their road racing careers, diariovasco.com reported. The Basque cycling veterans returned to competition in a different discipline on Sunday morning, joining local rider Lur Zufiria in a joint farewell event that drew crowds to the traditional Gipuzkoa circuit.
Belgian Rider Yorben Lauryssen Captures the Ormaiztegi Victory
While the spotlight focused on the retiring road professionals, the athletic competition drew international contenders to the Basque Country. Belgian rider Yorben Lauryssen claimed the victory in the men’s elite race with a winning time of 1:03:05, securing the traditional txapela beret. Gonzalo Inguanzo followed half a minute later at 1:03:39, while Raúl Mira finished third with a time of 1:03:41.
Among the day’s most anticipated starters, Ion Izagirre finished 14th in the men’s classification, and Pello Bilbao crossed the line in 28th place. Both riders received the loudest cheers of the day from fans gathered along the barriers of the historic circuit, which marks over half a century of continuous staging by the local club Ormaiztegiko Txirrindularien Lagunak alongside municipal backers.
Swiss Cyclist Lea Stern Dominates the Women’s Elite Podiums
In the women’s elite and under-23 division, which got underway at 11:45 local time, Swiss competitor Lea Stern raced to victory in 51:03. Spanish rider Lucía González secured second place just thirteen seconds back at 51:16, while Sofía Rodríguez rounded out the podium in third with a time of 52:29.
The day’s schedule began early at 9:00 with the master’s category, followed by the cadet race at 9:50 and the junior competition at 10:45. The event combined grassroots categories with elite sportsmanship, honoring the decades-long heritage of a race deeply embedded in the Basque sporting calendar.
Race Honors Retiring Cyclists Izagirre, Bilbao and Zufiria
The event served as a formal acknowledgment of the extensive international careers of Izagirre and Bilbao, two figures who carried Basque cycling to the highest levels of the WorldTour peloton. Alongside them, local rider Lur Zufiria received a public farewell that injected a distinct community element into the sporting program. Organizers noted that the race provided supporters a final chance to accompany the three athletes as they transition away from professional competition.
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