Isaac del Toro's five main rivals at the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country

For Isaac del Toro, Itzulia Basque Country is not just another WorldTour date; it is the definitive exam against the sport’s elite. The Mexican prodigy, chasing a third stage race win this season after conquering the UAE Tour and Tirreno–Adriatico, will face heavyweight rivals on the roads of the north, including Mattias Skjelmose, former teammate of Juan Ayuso; veterans like Primoz Roglic and rising talents such as Paul Seixas are also on the startlist.

The Mexican rider will find a field rich in pedigree. From Red Bull’s solid unit to Lidl’s renewed ambition, and Bahrain—with Antonio Tiberi and Pello Bilbao as dangerous outsiders—ready to spring a surprise.

The Basque terrain is unique in how it exposes the weaknesses of even the most seasoned riders. There are no transition zones, no breathers, as Jonas Vingegaard knows well; he has not returned since his terrible crash in 2024, as is the case with Remco Evenepoel.

The battle for the 'txapela' on the Basque podium will be one of the fiercest of the season. Here are five riders who can stand up to Del Toro from this Monday onwards.

The Slovenian is the master of Itzulia. With two overall wins on these roads, Primoz Roglic arrives to lead Red Bull’s powerful unit with a single aim: reclaim the throne on terrain he knows better than anyone.

Despite the passing years, his finishing kick on steep ramps and knack for bonus seconds make him Del Toro’s most dangerous rival in a race often decided by seconds.

Roglic knows he doesn’t need to attack from 50 kilometres out; his craft lies in efficiency and that devastating surge in the last 500 metres that leaves rivals with no reply.

“Itzulia is a race I always carry in my heart for its fans and its toughness. We know Isaac is very strong, he’s the future of cycling, but we have a plan and the experience to handle high-pressure finales on the walls,” the German squad’s leader said on the eve of the race.

If there is anyone who matches Del Toro for precocity and talent, it is Paul Seixas. The Decathlon Frenchman is one of the revelations of the season, confirming the hype he generated in the junior ranks.

Seixas is neither a pure climber nor a classic specialist; he is an all-rounder who thrives in chaos and open racing.

The Frenchman already showcased his quality last season by sharing the European Championships podium with Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel. In 2026, he has kept progressing and commands real respect from his rivals.

Italian rider Christian Scaroni has emerged in 2026 as XDS’ spearhead. His rise has been steady, evolving from support rider to a solid leader capable of contesting week-long general classifications.

Scaroni’s versatility lets him feature in quality breakaways on treacherous days and in the select groups formed in the mountains. An Italian-school racer, he reads the tactical ebb and flow to perfection.

At 28, he is enjoying a mature, assured spell with the Kazakh team. Scaroni may be in the best form of his career. His early-season consistency, shown at the Tour of Oman and the Clássica Camp de Morvedre, is his best credential for a podium tilt in Euskadi.

Antonio Tiberi reaches Itzulia as Italy’s great hope and Bahrain’s spearhead. After a period of development, the young rider has shown in 2026 impressive time trial solidity and high-mountain resilience that place him among the natural favourites.

At 24 he is a diesel rider, one who prefers attritional stages where accumulated fatigue sheds the most explosive rivals. His ability to hold a high, steady pace could be ideal to blunt Isaac del Toro’s electric attacks.

The Bahrain squad has surrounded Tiberi with rouleurs and climbers aiming to harden the race from afar, including local hero Pello Bilbao. Tiberi’s strategy rests on consistency and exploiting his power through valley sections between climbs.

The high-profile duel between former teammates will pit Juan Ayuso, now in Lidl-Trek colours, against his old colleague Del Toro. The Barcelona-born rider arrives fully recovered from his physical issues and with the freedom granted by his new team.

He comes to Itzulia with the pride of someone eager to reclaim his place as the best of his generation in Spain. Ayuso knows UAE’s strengths and weaknesses better than anyone, which may give him the upper hand throughout a whole week of racing in the hills.

Ayuso showed superior tactical maturity early in the season at the Algarve, judging when to ride conservatively and when to risk to split the group. He must also prove that his Paris–Nice withdrawal was only a scare after his crash.