“After everything I’d done, I couldn’t finish second” - Axel Laurance continues French dominance of Itzulia Basque Country with stage 3 success

Axel Laurance turned a chaotic and setback-filled day into victory on Stage 3 of Itzulia Basque Country 2026, producing a measured and resilient ride to win from a two-man breakaway in Basauri.

In a race already shaped by Paul Seixas’ early dominance, the French momentum continued, but Laurance’s performance told its own story. This was not control or inevitability, but recovery, patience and execution under pressure.

Laurance’s win did not come easily. Less than 24 hours after a crash, his stage began with further disruption. “I didn’t have much luck yesterday with the crash, but I stayed really optimistic,” he said in conversation with Cycling Pro Net. “And early in the race today, I didn’t have much luck either. My rear cable disconnected when the pace was really high, so I found myself very far back while the race was already breaking apart.”

Rather than forcing his way back immediately, Laurance relied on his condition. “I felt I had really strong legs. So I stayed calm, didn’t panic, and managed to move back up quickly.”

That composure proved decisive. As the race split on the climbs, Laurance was able to position himself correctly and follow the move that would ultimately decide the stage.

The defining phase came on the final major climb, where Laurance focused on riding within himself rather than overextending. “I knew I had to manage my effort, ride at my own pace without going too deep,” he explained. “Then we got away on the descent, which was perfect.”

Alongside Igor Arrieta, he built the move that would hold all the way to the finish. But the effort required to establish that gap came at a cost. “I struggled a bit to recover. It’s the kind of effort that’s harder for me compared to a pure climber,” he admitted. “But when I saw we were gaining time on the group behind, that gave me confidence.”

The final kilometre introduced a new challenge. “When he launched the sprint, I immediately had cramps, so I had a moment of fear,” Laurance revealed. “But he couldn’t go any faster after his acceleration; he kind of stalled.”

That hesitation created a narrow opening, and Laurance reacted. “I was able to sit back down with about 200 metres to go, and from there it was all in the head,” he continued. “When I saw the finish line, I told myself I couldn’t finish second after everything I’d done, especially after yesterday’s crash.”

That refusal to give in defined the outcome. “I had targeted this stage before the race. So I just gave everything. It was hard to breathe afterwards, but I’m really very happy.”

Beyond the result, Laurance pointed to a broader shift in his development. “I feel really good. I’m improving year by year, and I’m getting better on longer efforts,” he said. “Before, apart from a sprint, I couldn’t really do much else. Now I can be in breakaways, take pulls, really contribute.”

That evolution was visible throughout Stage 3. Rather than waiting for a reduced finish, Laurance shaped the race from distance and still delivered in the decisive moment. “I raced a bit less at the start of the season, that was the plan,” he added. “I trust the team and the work I’ve done, so I had no reason to worry.”

With Seixas firmly in control of the general classification and now Laurance taking a stage in aggressive fashion, France continues to define the direction of this Itzulia.

But while the broader narrative points to collective strength, Laurance’s victory stands on its own terms. On a day of setbacks, mechanical issues and physical limits, it was his ability to stay composed and commit fully in the final moments that made the difference.