Over the 113 kilometres of the final stage of the three-day race, Poland's Wlodarczyk was once again ahead at the finish line - as she had been the day before. However, the fact that Bredewold managed to catch up with the leading group in the last 700 metres ultimately secured the Dutchwoman the overall victory with a 21-second lead over her compatriot Yara Kastelijn (Fenix-Premier Tech).
Bredewold has now won a total of five stages at the Itzulia in the past three years. However, it has never been enough for victory in the final standings. In general, this is the 25-year-old's first ever overall victory in a multi-stage race in her career. "Last year, I exceeded my limits on the last climb, so I knew that that was the big danger: riding too fast," said Bredewold, who had to concede overall victory in 2025 on the very last stage around San Sebastian, which connects two decisive climbs of the Clásica San Sebastian, the Jaizkibel and the Mendizorrotz.
"Of course I didn't leave the gap out of luxury or laziness, but because I knew that the flatter section and the technical descent were my strength," she continued. "When I got to the bottom, I saw them. I only had one goal ... I've rarely pushed my limits like that. I nearly fainted just backstage. I've never experienced anything like it. But it worked."
Bredewold had lost the connection to the leading group 15 kilometres before the finish at Mendizorrotz. Alongside Wlodarczyk and Kastelijn, Antonia Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) also rode at the front. It was the young German who did most of the work both uphill and downhill, but was unable to capitalise on this in any way. Niedermaier finished fifth overall, 29 seconds behind Bredewold. She was the only one in the top 5 not to collect any bonus seconds. This was ultimately the deciding factor, as Bredewold had collected exactly 29 of them en route.
The good German result was rounded off by Ricarda Bauernfeind (Lidl - Trek) and Liane Lippert (Movistar Team) in tenth and eleventh.
Itzulia Women 2016 - Results of the 3rd stage
Stage 3: San Sebastián - San Sebastián
Itzulia Women 2026: Stage 3, San Sebastián - San Sebastián
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UAE Team ADQ | 02:59:01 |
| 2 | FDJ United - SUEZ | +00:00:00 |
| 3 | FDJ United - SUEZ | +00:00:00 |
| 4 | Laboral Kutxa - Fundación Euskadi | +00:00:00 |
| 5 | Fenix-Premier Tech | +00:00:00 |
| 6 | Team SD Worx - Protime | +00:00:00 |
How the first two stages went
The 1st stage of the Itzulia was firmly in Dutch hands. Bredewold won ahead of Kastelijn and Riejanne Markus (Lidl - Trek). Lauren Dickson (FDJ United - Suez) crossed the finish line at the same time as the three Dutch riders. Two seconds behind was Niedermaier, who was part of the leading group and proved to be the strongest, especially on the climbs, but opened the final sprint too early and therefore had to accept the small gap. Lippert and Bauernfeind, who both finished in the second group, rounded off the strong German result in fifth and ninth.
On the second day, a large group, again including the three Germans, reached the finish together. Winner Wlodarczyk and third-placed Shirin van Anrooij (Lidl - Trek) had broken away from this group of 20 riders with seven kilometres to go, but almost gambled away their 20-second lead on the finishing straight - at least almost. When Bredewold sprinted from behind to lead the chasers, van Anrooij was no longer able to counter. Wlodarczyk, on the other hand, saved a bike length to win the race.
