"I am delighted with the way everything worked out" - Evenepoel on fearless Clasica San Sebastian win
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel returned to competition today at the Clasica San Sebastian and stormed to the win with a long-range solo attack, one where the win was comfortably in the bad as he showed his A-game.
“I came at the start fresh and motivated after a solid altitude training camp in Livigno and I am delighted with the way everything worked out," Evenepoel said at the end of the race. "Liège–Bastogne–Liège and Clasica San Sebastian are my favourite one-day races out there, and to win them both in the same season is amazing".
The Belgian team's win was built from early on, as the team worked hard in the ascent to Jaizkibel and earlier to shed some units from the peloton, and set up an early attack for the Belgian. “The guys did an incredible job from the beginning of the day and I am grateful to them, it was thanks to their hard work that I could arrive on the Erlaitz with a lot of energy," he said.
He followed the wheels early on in the climb to Erlaitz, but quickly enough he put himself in front and rode a constant pace, one no-one could keep up with that saw Evenepoel go over the climb with over 40 seconds over the nearest competitor. "All I had to do there was to go all-out, and that’s what I did. The gap was good, and I maintained the tempo after getting clear, although it wasn’t easy with the headwind," he detailed.
In the way he knows best, Evenepoel then rode to the finish all alone, extending his gap and comfortably arriving in San Sebastián for the final time with a healthy lead. "Then I rode full gas on Murgil Tontorra, before taking it a bit slow on the descent, knowing the two-minute advantage was enough," he added. This was, after 2019, his second win in the race, and one won in even more impressive fashion.
"It was a perfect race for us and I am happy with my second 'txapela'. I love racing here, the fans are fantastic and I can’t wait to return to the Basque Country when the Vuelta – where I’ll go with a good feeling, relaxed and confident after this win – visits it in a couple of weeks," he concluded.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
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- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
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Incredible feeling to win Clásica San Sebastián for the second time!! 🏆🏆 Huge thanks to the entire team for the amazing work today, proud to finish it off!! 💙🐺 #TheWolfpack Now full focus on the preparations for La Vuelta! 💪🏻🇪🇸
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