Results Memorial Marco Pantani 2026 - Ion Izagirre takes 20th career win in final season as Giulio Pellizzari settles for second
Cycling
Ion Izagirre has claimed what could prove to be the final victory of his professional career at the 2026 Memorial Marco Pantani, beating Giulio Pellizzari at the end of a four-man battle in Cesenatico.
The 37-year-old Cofidis rider, who will retire at the end of the season, launched his sprint with around 200 metres remaining and held off Pellizzari to secure the 20th professional victory of a career that has included stage wins at all three Grand Tours.
Pellizzari finished second after another prominent showing in the late-season Italian classics, just three days after winning the Giro della Toscana.
Four riders emerge from decisive climbing phase
The early race had been shaped by a six-rider break containing Joshua Golliker, Remi Cavagna, Clement Izquierdo, Iker Mintegi, Mattia Bais and Kevin Pezzo Rosola, before that move was gradually reduced through the central climbing section.
The race changed significantly inside the final 80 kilometres, with Michael Storer, Pellizzari and Alex Aranburu among the riders moving clear as the field began to split. Further changes on the final ascent of San Lorenzo in Scanno eventually left defending champion Storer, Pellizzari, Mikkel Honore and Izagirre together at the head of the race.
The quartet had opened a 1:02 advantage with 26 kilometres remaining before the peloton began to reduce the gap on the flatter approach to Cesenatico. With 11 kilometres to go, however, the four leaders still had 40 seconds and carried their advantage onto the finishing circuits.
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The attacks began inside the closing four kilometres, with Storer making a move before the quartet reached the final lap. Storer accelerated again with 1.3 kilometres remaining, before Honore attacked inside the final kilometre. Pellizzari then made his own move with around 500 metres to go.
The four were still together for the decisive sprint, with Storer positioned on Izagirre's wheel as the Spaniard launched with around 200 metres remaining. Izagirre held off Pellizzari through the final metres to claim victory and move onto 20 professional wins in the final months of his career.
Having already won the Gran Premio Miguel Indurain earlier this season, the Memorial Marco Pantani success gives Izagirre another victory before he brings a professional career spanning more than 15 years to an end.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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