"I almost fainted after the finish... but we made it!": Mischa Bredewold celebrates emotional Itzulia victory

The 2026 Itzulia Women concluded on Sunday what was yet another thrilling action-packed edition. Ultimately, it was SD Worx - Protime's Mischa Bredewold to have claimed the overall title, but in a battle of seconds, it's taken every last bit of energy from the former European champion to defend her crown.

"What it means to me to be allowed to wear the 'chapella' [Basque winner's headgear, ed.]? It makes me emotional. The support from the team was incredible. They believed that I could do it, and that is why I believed in it myself too. I am so happy with this victory," the Dutch rider said afterwards via her team’s channels.

With two runner-up results in Basque Country in 2024 and 2025, Bredewold had to step up her game this year in order to finally tick off this box in her palmares. And with the experience of past failures, that's exactly what she's done over the past week:

"I have learned from my earlier attempts to win the overall here. Last year, I went over my limits too hard at the start of the final climb and blew myself up. So I knew that was my biggest pitfall. It became a matter of approaching the climb smartly, positioning myself well and finding my own pace," she explained.

While stage 1 and 2 seemed as though Bredewold had the race for the most part under control, the final day in Basque Country has really tested her mental fortitude. As a small group distanced the Dutchwoman on final ascent Mendizorrotz, she was left alone against the world with no more teammates to lean on to.

"I knew the technical descent and the flat section had to become 'my' part. I could see the front group riding away and then I had one goal left: catch them. I went so deep, I have never experienced that in my life. I almost fainted after the finish. But we made it. The overall victory is in," Bredewold said.

"I am getting to know my strengths better and can therefore use them more effectively. I drew confidence from my results in the opening stages. I just had to follow my own feeling. If you blow yourself up, it is all over. My teammates also supported me perfectly in this Itzulia. That support gave me wings," the proud Bredewold concluded.