San Sebastián marked Evenepoel’s first WorldTour victory in 2019; he followed that up with further wins in 2022 and 2023, thereby equalling the record held by the Spaniard Marino Lejarreta. Now, at the 45th edition of the race in the Basque Country, the 26-year-old has secured the title as the sole record holder.

The runner-up in the Tour de France, which finished a week ago, had to weather a scare. As the peloton tackled the Erlaitz, the second-to-last climb of the day, Evenepoel had to change his bike following a mechanical issue, whilst attacks were being launched at the front. At one point, the Belgian was almost a minute behind the leaders, but he fought his way back to the front.

“After the Jaizkibel, I had a puncture and then found myself quite a long way behind,” said Evenepoel, describing the key moment of the day – though ultimately it didn’t affect the result. “It was definitely the hardest of my victories here. I have to thank my team-mates Giulio Pellizzari and Maxim Van Gils. Giulio had brought me back within striking distance by the time we reached Erlaitz, and Maxim waited patiently for me at the front. I had to finish off the work my team-mates had done, but I was really in good form.”

Once again, it has become clear that the professionals who hit top form late in the Tour also stand a good chance in San Sebastián. Just like Evenepoel, Carapaz was also extremely successful in the Tour, securing two stage wins and the mountains classification jersey.

Clasica San Sebastian – Results 2026

How the 2026 Clásica de San Sebastián unfolded

It took more than 20 kilometres before a group of eight riders managed to break away from the peloton. Several attacks had been thwarted up to that point. The group rode together for a long time and worked well as a unit. But as the air grew thinner and the Jaizkibel loomed ahead, they fell apart. Tim Rex (Team Visma | Lease a Bike). From the peloton, Van Gils – whose team had been doing the chasing work throughout – rode to the front alongside Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates – XRG), amongst others.

On the approach to Erlaitz, Evenepoel suddenly vanished from view. The Red Bull team leader had suffered a puncture and had to wait for his team car, losing more than a minute to the leaders, who then launched an early attack on Erlaitz. Visma, in particular, tried to capitalise on Evenepoel’s situation and was strongly represented in an initial group led by Matteo Jorgenson. Last year’s winner Giulio Ciccone (Lidl – Trek) and Felix Gall (Decathlon CMA CGM) were also in the group.

Evenepoel and Carapaz break away at Murgil

However, no decisive breakaway could be established on the 3.8-kilometre climb with a gradient of 10.6 per cent. Just under 20 professionals regrouped on the descent, with Evenepoel also rejoining the peloton there. With 30 kilometres to go, more riders caught up from behind, doubling the size of the group once again. The race then settled down until the final climb, the 2,100-metre-long Murgil, with a gradient of 10 per cent.

UAE led the way up the climb, but Red Bull took the lead again halfway up. Evenepoel upped the pace and only Carapaz was able to keep up on the 17 per cent gradient section. With a lead of around ten seconds over Ciccone, the pair crossed the highest point. However, the Italian lost ground, with Louis Barré (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) catching up to him, followed two kilometres from the finish by Tulett and Mathys Rondel (Tudor Pro Cycling Team).

However, no one else managed to break away from the leading duo, as they worked well together right up until the home straight. There, Evenepoel launched a long sprint and managed to keep Carapaz behind him. In the sprint among the chasing group, which had grown even larger, Tulett came out on top in the end.