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One rider missing today is Juan Ayuso, who abandoned the race yesterday. He later confirmed that he had been suffering from stomach problems.
It’s been a subdued start so far, but that should be about to change as they ride a short plateau to the foot of the first category one climb of the day, the 5.7km Azurki, which averages a tough 7.7%.
Baptiste Veistroffer, leading the race
Both Fernández and Thompson have been caught, but Veistroffer remains out there alone.
The peloton were treated to the unusual spectacle of a local traditional ‘Aurresku’ performance before the start of the stage today.
Reuben Thompson also attacks out of the peloton, and is now third on the road.
Veistroffer has a lead of a minute over the peloton already, and 30 seconds over the chaser Fernández. That will likely change as they start climbing in a few kilometres.
The first 10km of this stage are flat, but then the climbing starts with the category three Elkorrieta, and barely relented for the remainder of the day.
Sinuhé Fernández is in pursuit of Veistroffer.
Baptiste Veistroffer, who was very busy during the first phase of yesterday’s stage, is the first to get a small gap today.
If yesterday’s stage is anything to go by, this will be a long, competitive battle to form the day’s break.
The scene at the start.
The weather continues to smile on the riders, treating them to blue skies and a temperature of over 20 degrees.
The winner of stage three, Axel Laurance, has not made it to the start this morning. He’s pulled out of the race.
The riders are making their way though the neutralised zone as we speak.
Paul Seixas in yellow with his Decathlon CMA CGM team at the start today.
There was a lot to unpack from yesterday’s hectic stage. Have a read of our report for the full lowdown.
The scene at the start today in Eibar, during the team presentation.
Of course, there is one obvious way Seixas can be beaten – by riders in the break. There was huge interest in getting into the break yesterday, with the battle raging for hours and a massive group of over 30 eventually getting clear, and we should expect something similar today. Whether or not the catch is made may well depend on Seixas’ appetite for another stage win.
Based on the way this race has gone so far, it’s the kind of parcours that makes Paul Seixas hot favourite for the stage win. He’s been in a league of his own so far this race on the climbs, and even gained time yesterday on the descent, and if this stage is to be as selective as it looks, it’s hard to see how anybody can beat him in a mano y mano fight.
This is the day that the organisers have deemed the Queen Stage of the 2026 Itzulia Basque Country, and it’s easy to see why. In total there are eight classified climbs, and a total of 3,814m elevation gain, including two particularly steep category one climbs in the second half of the stage.
Hello and welcome to stage five of Itzulia Basque Country!