Mikel Landa to La Vuelta? Euskaltel - Euskadi seem to save 2026 season on its final opportunity in... Panama
Cycling
Euskaltel Euskadi has put the finishing touch on its season with a prestigious victory in Panama. Gotzon Martín won the Vuelta Clásica Provincia de Chiriquí (2.2) after defending his lead on the second and final stage. The result allows the Basque team to end the campaign with a major sporting goal in sight: a place among the top 30 teams in the UCI WorldTour ranking, which could earn it an invitation to the 2027 Vuelta a España.
With the official standings yet to be published, the orange-clad team has climbed to 28th place, ahead of MBH Bank, Team Picnic PostNL and Bardiani. If confirmed, this position would entitle Euskaltel-Euskadi to invitations to all three Grand Tours in 2027, an opportunity that could shape the team’s next campaign.
This is specially important as the Basque team readies itself to welcome Mikel Landa in 2027, who would bring significant firepower for the team not only in terms of results, but exposure and ability to obtain wildcards.
The result caps a late-season comeback built over the final weeks of racing, as the team competed across four continents to improve its position in the international rankings. Gotzon Martín’s victory in Panama completed a collective effort that also featured Xabier Berasategi, who won Friday’s Gran Prix Chiriquí (1.2).
Gotzon Martín defends his lead to the finish in Panama for Euskaltel
The final stage of the Vuelta Clásica Provincia de Chiriquí took place in David, the capital of the Panamanian province. Riders completed 12 laps of a circuit for a total of 149 kilometres. It was a demanding day, and Euskaltel-Euskadi had to work hard to protect its leader’s advantage.
A six-rider group took the initiative from the opening kilometres, while Gotzon Martín kept a close eye on the action to avoid any surprises in the general classification. The rider from Orozko contested the stage win but finished second after a mechanical problem struck as he looked to round off the race with another victory: his chain came off.
The incident did not stop the Biscayan from celebrating overall victory, secured thanks to his win on Saturday’s opening stage. Martín therefore takes home the yellow jersey and delivers one of Euskaltel-Euskadi’s standout results in the closing stages of the season.
Mikel Landa is joining Euskaltel - Euskadi in 2027
Jorge Azanza praises the efforts of the whole team
The team’s sports director, Jorge Azanza, highlighted the difficulty of the final stage and his riders’ work throughout the race. “Today’s stage was far from easy, which shows just how impressive our achievements in the previous days were. Winning here is not as simple as it might seem,” he said.
Azanza also regretted that the team had not had more riders in the break to cover possible setbacks, and noted that Gotzon Martín had reached the finish with a chance to win the stage. Even so, the overall result was highly positive, both for the victory in Panama and the team’s rise in the UCI ranking.
“Securing a place in the top 30 reflects the tremendous effort from the whole team throughout the year, especially in this final stretch of the season, when everyone made significant sacrifices. This is a reward for all of us,” the sporting director said.
The chance to compete in one of the three major stage races on the world calendar is the biggest prize for the Basque team. “Having the chance to receive an invitation to a Grand Tour is the most important thing for a ProTeam, and we hope it happens,” Azanza added, congratulating everyone in the team.
A special victory for Gotzon Martín
The race winner, meanwhile, said he was delighted to take victory in a race shaped by the weather and the nature of the course. “I’m very happy. It was a very demanding race, both because of the heat and the course, so taking the yellow jersey home is hugely satisfying,” he said.
The Basque rider also highlighted the experience of racing in a country the team had never visited and said he hoped to return in the future. Martín dedicated his victory to those closest to him and to everyone who supports him throughout the season. “I want to dedicate this win to my family, my friends, my partner and everyone who supports me day in, day out.”
With Gotzon Martín’s victory, Euskaltel-Euskadi ends its time in Panama with two reasons to celebrate: an international win for its rider and a place among the world’s top 30 teams. Pending official confirmation, that ranking could open the door to racing in the Grand Tours in 2027.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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Front24208-11-2026 - On a positive note, you maybe notice turning this topic into a discussion has the benefit of eliminating certain participants who do not see how they can turn it back to their sole interest ;-)Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
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