Itzulia Women 2026: Three days of classic terrain

For most, it's only been a few days since the big Tour of Spain and the action is already underway again. In the autonomous Basque Country, the Women's WorldTour will be racing in the Itzulia Women 2026 over the short climbs typical of the region. Anyone who has not been able to recover properly after the Vuelta will be mercilessly put off here. From Zarautz to San Sebastián, the route covers 372 kilometres over three days, partly inland and partly along the coast.

Itzulia Women 2026: The most important facts in brief

• Date: 15-17 May
• Distance: 372.4 kilometres
• Start: Zarautz, Target: San Sebastián
• Profile: wavy
• UCI Category: Women's WorldTour
• Premiere: 2022, 5th edition

These are the stages of Itzulia Women 2026

Stage 1 | Friday, 15 May | Zarautz - Zarautz | 121.3 kilometres | 2400 vertical metres

Without the chance of a leisurely roll-in, we set off straight away. After a few kilometres on an almost flat road, it's almost all up and down. With five mountain classifications in the third category and one in the second, there are likely to be gaps right from the start in the Basque Country. The climb to Santa Ageda is just after the halfway point of the stage and is the longest challenge with 8 kilometres at 6.8 per cent. The Etumeta climb, which has an average gradient of 7.5 per cent and is 4.5 kilometres long, heralds the finale, in which the climb to Garate has to be tackled not far from the finish. This is not quite as difficult, but from there it is less than eight kilometres to the finish. A solo or a sprint from a small group is most likely here.

Stage 2 | Saturday, 16 May | Abadiño - Amorebieta-Etxano | 138 kilometres | 2560 vertical metres

With five third-category mountain classifications, it is a day on which there is not a single key section, but rather an accumulation of climbs that make the legs feel heavy. The first three of these climbs come right at the start of the stage, but after that it's a constant up and down. After the Aretxabalgane, which is passed 23 kilometres before the finish, there is another uncategorised climb immediately before Amorebieta-Etxano.

Stage 3 | Sunday, 17 May | San Sebastián - San Sebastián | 113.1 kilometres | 1840 vertical metres

On paper, the easiest day brings with it the Jaizkibel, one of the well-known climbs of the classic San Sebastián. This is categorised as a category one climb, but must be completed before the halfway point of the stage, with decisive attacks likely to come later. Namely on the Mendizorrotz, which offers the perfect opportunity for an attack over 6.4 kilometres at 5.2 per cent. As soon as the pros have reached the top, there is a descent, after which there are only just under 3 kilometres to the finish. This is where the race is finally decided.