Max Schachmann survives key stage of Itzulia Basque Country as overall leader: "It was really hard, much more than I expected"

Max Schachmann keeps the leader's jersey after an exciting day of racing at the 2025 Itzulia Basque Country. The German rider of Soudal - Quick-Step managed to resist several attacks in today's stage and even sprinted to third place from a select group that was left at the front in the final.

"It was really hard, much more than I expected," he admits at Cycling Pro Net. "We went full blast right from the start, even the breakaway struggled to form to the point that at a certain point I found myself following some attacks since I didn't want any UAE to attack, since we needed them to pull with us."

At the second categorized climb of the day a group of over 20 riders took off from the peloton which was a very dangerous moment for Soudal - Quick-Step who suddenly found themselves in position where they needed to control the development of the stage. "In the end, a very large breakaway started but the team saved the situation on the climb, in any case the race continued without stopping."

"In the final, however, I felt good and in the valley before the last climb I tried to attack because I felt like doing it. From that moment on, there were riders everywhere and we went without sparing energy until the finish line. On the descent, I missed the right moment, but then I still did a good sprint, I'm happy."

After some shuffles with the results due to unclear road closure, Schachmann is eventually classified as 3rd on the day, which boosts his overall lead with another four bonification seconds. And that's exactly his lead over Joao Almeida and compatriot Florian Lipowitz at halfway mark of the race. Can he keep it up?

"Today is only the third day of the race, we will see what happens in the next few days. Today's stage will certainly leave some residue, but tomorrow we will understand more."