Tour of the Basque Country 2025: Route, stages, TV coverage & start list

Thomas Goldmann

· 07.04.2025

The Tour of the Basque Country is known for its frenetic fans

The Tour of the Basque Country 2025 on the map

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Photo: Getty Images/Tim de Waele

The 2025 Tour of the Basque Country will take place from 7 to 12 April. Alongside the Vuelta a España and the Tour of Catalonia, it is one of the most important tours in Spain. The field of participants is high-calibre. Who will be Juan Ayuso's successor?

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Tour of the Basque Country 2025: The most important facts in brief

Date: 7 to 12 April, 6 stages
Distance: ~ 870 kilometres, ~ 16,000 vertical metres
Start: Vitoria-Gasteiz, Target: Eibar
Profile: One individual time trial, five hilly stages
UCI category: World Tour
Premiere: 1924, 64th edition
Results of the Tour of the Basque Country 2025 at a glance

This year, the Tour of the Basque Country will once again be held at the beginning of April. The Itzulia, as it is officially known, is characterised by its short, steep climbs and the enthusiastic Basque fans who create a unique atmosphere every year.

Photo: Getty Images/Tim de WaeleThe Basque fans never tire of cheering on the riders

Favourites: Florian Lipowitz with good chances

The big stars are missing at the start of the 2025 Tour of the Basque Country: neither Tadej Pogačar, nor Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel or Primož Roglič are also taking part - as well as last year's winner Juan Ayuso is missing. This opens up opportunities for others. UAE Team Emirates - XRG hopes with João Almeida for a successful defence of the title. As always, the team from the Emirates is extremely well-staffed. Also Brandon McNulty or Isaac del Toro could be among the front runners in the overall standings. Lidl - Trek brings last year's third-placed rider Mattias Skjelmose to the Basque Country and Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe will be led by Florian Lipowitz. The 24-year-old German has already impressed with second place at Paris-Nice and can also count himself in with a chance at the Itzulia. His team also includes Aleksandr Vlasov and Daniel Felipe Martínez two more potential candidates for overall victory at the start. There will also be tour aces such as Enric Mas (Movistar Team), Sepp Kuss (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Eddie Dunbar (Team Jayco AlUla) or Pello Bilbao and Santiago Buitrago (both Bahrain - Victorious).

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Tour of the Basque Country 2025: Overview of all stages

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe Tour of the Basque Country 2025 on the map

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Almost 900 kilometres have to be covered over six days in the 2025 Tour of the Basque Country and around 16,000 metres of altitude have to be climbed - no roller stages! Only on the second day could the sprinters get a chance. The decision in the battle for overall victory is traditionally likely to be made on the sixth stage around Eibar on Saturday.

>> This is the cycling calendar for the 2025 season

>> Spring classics 2025 - the ultimate guide

Stage 1 | Monday, 7th April | Vitoria-Gasteiz - Baskonia-Alavés | 16.5 kilometres (individual time trial)

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe elevation profile of the 1st stage

As in the previous year, the 2025 Tour of the Basque Country begins with an individual time trial. 16.5 kilometres with start and finish at the Buesa Arena. There are a few hills in the first part, the second part of the time trial is flat. Large gaps in the classification are not to be expected.

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe 1st stage on the map

>> To the race report of stage 1

Stage 2 | Tuesday, 8 April | Pamplona-Iruñea - Lodosa | 199.8 kilometres

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe elevation profile of the 2nd stage

The second day will be a long one: at almost 200 kilometres, it is the longest stage of the 2025 Tour of the Basque Country, with a category 3 climb in the first part and a few undulations in the finale. If no strong breakaway group forms in the hilly first part, the sprinters could possibly come into play.

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe 2nd stage on the map

>> To the race report of stage 2

Stage 3 | Wednesday, 9 April | Zarautz - Beasain | 156.3 kilometres

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe profile of stage 3 of the Tour of the Basque Country 2025

After two topographically less demanding days at the start, the 3rd stage of the Tour of the Basque Country 2025 gets down to business. Six climbs in the 3rd and one in the 2nd category will make the riders' legs ache. The last climb of the day, Lazkaomendi, is a tough one at up to 18 per cent. From the summit, there are only around six kilometres to the finish.

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe 3rd stage on the map

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe profile of the Lazkaomendi climb

>> To the race report of the 3rd stage

Stage 4 | Thursday, 10 April | Beasain - Markina-Xemein | 169.6 kilometres

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe elevation profile of the 4th stage

The 4th stage of the Tour of the Basque Country 2025 is also a tough one. Seven mountain classifications, including six 3rd and one 1st category, await the riders. Special attention will be paid to the Izua climb. In the industrial area of Matsaria, the route leads up a very narrow road between farms with ramps with gradients of up to 20 per cent. If you want to win the tour, you have to be at the front here.

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe 4th stage on the map

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe profile of the Izua ascent

Stage 5 | Friday, 11 April | Urduña - Gernika-Lumo | 172.4 kilometres

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe elevation profile of stage 5

A day for Pello Bilbao. The 5th stage of the Tour of the Basque Country ends in Gernika, the home town of the Bahrain Victorious rider. Bilbao was included in the design of the stage. After two very demanding days, this time there are "only" four category 3 climbs for the peloton to tackle. It is possible that a breakaway group will prevail before the grand finale on Saturday - or that Bilbao itself will spring a surprise.

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe 5th stage on the map

Stage 6 | Saturday, 12 April | Eibar - Eibar | 153.6 kilometres

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe elevation profile of stage 6

Eibar will host the finale of the Tour of the Basque Country for another year. In 2025, it will once again be a wild rollercoaster ride with seven mountain classifications. Including three in the 3rd, one in the 2nd and three in the 1st category. The infamous Krabelin climb was included very early on in the stage this year. The five kilometres with an average gradient of almost ten per cent and ramps of up to 17 per cent are therefore perfect for an attack by a classification rider far from the finish.

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe 6th stage on the map

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe profile of the Krabelin ascent

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe profile of the Izua climb on stage 6

Photo: Itzulia Basque CountryThe profile of the Trabakua climb on stage 6

Tour of the Basque Country 2025 today: TV coverage & live stream

Eurosport will broadcast the Tour of the Basque Country 2025 today and on all other days. The first five stages will be shown on free TV on Eurosport 1. On the last day Eurosport 2. With Discovery Plus (via paid subscription) will also offer a live stream of all stages.