Clasica San Sebastian 2026 preview, stages, favourites & predictions - Will Remco Evenepoel carry golden Tour de France form to victory?

The Basque cycling summer hits one of its peak moments with the Clásica San Sebastián, one of the most prestigious and selective one-day races on the international calendar. The Basque race, part of the UCI World Tour calendar, will once again bring together on the 1st of August some of the leading figures in the peloton - barely a week after the Tour de France ends. We preview the race ahead.

The Donostia Klasikoa has established itself over recent decades as a major classic for climbers and stage racers. Relentless gradients, sinuous roads, and a route packed with climbs make it an ideal arena for the most complete and attacking riders in the peloton. This year’s course preserves the essence that made the race famous.

Riders face 221,1 kilometres starting and finishing in San Sebastián, with almost 4300 meters of elevation gain and seven categorized climbs. The race was created back in 1981 and was first won by Marino Lejarreta - who also doubled down on his first triumph once again in 1982.

The race quickly gained international traction and in 1985 none other than Adrie van der Poel was the winner here. Big names such as Miguel Induráin, Claudio Chiapucci, Lance Armstrong and Davide Rebellin are part of the official list of winners in the 1990's, a mix of Grand Tour and classics specialists - one that has continued to remain notable until current day.

Laurent Jalabert, Alejadnro Valverde, Paolo Bettini and Philippe Gilbert are some of the most notable winners entering the new century but the recent years have also seen big names such as Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel win. The Olympic Champion has won it on three occasions (2019, 2022 and 2023). Giulio Ciccone won it in 2025 with a solo attack on the final ascent.

The opening phase will load fatigue into the legs. After leaving Donostia, the peloton will head towards the Gipuzkoa coast before tackling the first mountain tests. The first categorised climb is the Alto de Kalbario (2,2 km at 8 %), at kilometre 55,9. Soon after comes Azkarate (4,2 km at 7,3 %), a longer, tougher ascent that will begin to thin the main group.

The first major obstacle is the Alto de Urraki, second category, 8,6 kilometres at 6,9 %. Traditionally this climb hardens the race and strips many favourites of teammates. After the descent, the peloton takes on Alkiza (4,4 km at 6,2 %), before a long, relatively favourable stretch that leads back towards the Gipuzkoa capital.

As almost every year, the Clásica San Sebastián will be decided on the day’s two key ascents. With 62 kilometres to go, the legendary Jaizkibel appears, a 7,9-kilometre climb at 5,6 % that has long been a springboard for major attacks. Its gradients are not extreme, but accumulated fatigue and the proximity to the finish make it a strategic point.

With barely any time to recover, the race heads to the chief arbiter of the 2026 edition: Erlaitz.This first-category ascent offers 3,8 kilometres at an average of 10,6 %, making it one of the steepest walls on the WorldTour calendar. Its ramps usually create major gaps and leave the race completely shattered. From the summit, a little over 45 kilometres remain to the San Sebastián finish, ideal terrain for long-range attacks and tactical moves.

When many think the race is settled, one last obstacle remains: the Murgil wall. The final climb is 2,1 kilometres at 10,1 % and returns as the last big filter before the drop back into Donostia. Its explosive ramps have hosted some of the race’s most memorable recent attacks and could decide the win again.

After the summit, only eight kilometres remain. The blend of more than 4250 meters of elevation, seven categorized climbs, and an explosive finale once more makes the Clásica San Sebastián a perfect battleground for attacking climbers, puncheurs, and Grand Tour contenders.

Remco Evenepoel - This is no-one's race to lose, however after seeing the level that Remco Evenepoel finished the Tour de France with, it's hard to argue someone will beat him if he is on a good day. A former winner here on several occasions, a rider well suited to both short and longer efforts; and a thin Evenepoel who is here with Tour de France weight and also ended the Tour with incredible form. Red Bull's cohesion may be questioned with Primoz Roglic having an uncertain role but Giulio Pellizzari and Maxim van Gils should be able to launch him perfectly and the team will not be caught by surprise at any point with so many top riders.

UAE - Red Bull do have to make a big push on the larger climbs, because UAE have a danger man in their roster. Jhonatan Narváez went into the Giro d'Italia without racing and was in terrific form, and so the same may happen. UAE have Jan Christen here, second last year, also present - and a team with several strong cards to play.

Lidl - Giulio Ciccone won this race last year and has the perfect combination of thriving on the longer climbs but also having that explosivity. The Italian is a perfect rider for a race like this and also has a strong sprint, but just like Red Bull, the German team have a very strong collective. A Bauke Mollema who has won here before and is in great form; Quinn Simmons in great form from the Tour; Derek Gee and also Thibau Nys who on top form would be a major danger for the final climb.

Bahrain - Bahrain deserve some very good mentions here because they have a team with depth, they have home rider Pello Bilbao who knows the roads like the back of his hand; Afonso Eulálio who thrives in this steep and more explosive terrain; and Lenny Martínez who finished the Tour in the form of his life and is also a perfect contender for this kind of race with steep climbs and some longer efforts.

But the field is just so strong. It is inevitable that the race will blow up on Erlaitz because there are several pure climbers present who simply have to make their bid there, even if the main favourites don't. You look at a Felix Gall, Carlos Rodríguez, Mikel Landa, Enric Mas... That's where they can play their cards and fight for a top result.

But Evenepoel, Martínez and Ciccone will want the same as well. When it comes to climbers we should also take into consideration Luke Plapp, Alex Baudin, Ben Tulett, Matteo Jorgenson, Ilan van Wilder, Ion Izagirre, Javier Romo and Diego Pescador.

This is still a hilly classic though at the end of the day and some puncheurs may survive Erlaitz to then still fight for a good result. Mauro Schmid, Tom Gloag, Christian Scaroni, Clément Champoussin, Ben Healy, Alex Aranburu... I wouldn't count on them but you can't discard former winners Julian Alaphilippe and Marc Hirschi racing for Tudor.

*** Remco Evenepoel, Lenny Martínez

** Jhonatan Narváez, Giulio Ciccone, Mauro Schmid

* Maxim van Gils, Jan Christen, Quinn Simmons, Felix Gall, Ben Tulett, Matteo Jorgenson, Christian Scaroni

Pick: Remco Evenepoel

How: Solo victory with an attack after Erlaitz.