How did Isaac del Toro do in stage 1 of Itzulia Basque Country?

The Mexican cyclist had the wind against him in the time trial in the Basque Country and finished 51 seconds behind the winner

Paul Seixas (Decathlon) is the first leader of the Itzulia Basque Country 2026 after winning the demanding 13.8 kilometer time trial of stage 1 in the Basque race in Bilbao. The 19-year-old Frenchman took the first battle against his main rivals, the Mexican Isaac del Toro and spanish Juan Ayuso.

The French cyclist finished with a lead of 23 seconds over his compatriot Kevin Vauquelin (Ineos) and 27 seconds to the Austrian Felix Grosschartner (UAE) on a day in which much more was expected from the two big favorites for the final victory, Isaac del Toro (UAE) and, above all, Juan Ayuso (Lidl Trek).

Isaac del Toro He crossed the finish line in 13th position, with a disadvantage of 51 seconds over Paul Seixas; and the Spanish 1:16, being relegated to 38th position in the stage. Both, however, have enough ground ahead to call into question the leadership of one of the latest sensations in world cycling.

Things went much better for Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step), who was 18th, 55 seconds behind the winner. And the performance of the two Red Bull leaders was as expected. The Slovenian Primoz Roglic He was fourth at 28 seconds and the German Florian Lipowitz sixth, at 33. Between them, fifth, the Belgian Ilan Van Wilder (Soudal Quick-Step) slipped in, 29 seconds behind the yellow jersey.

Roglic It marked the first time to take into account among the favorites. The Slovenian, winner of an identical time trial in 2021, regulated well on a technical route with an initial climb to Santo Domingo, 2.4 kilometers at 7%, and a false flat through Artxanda before the descent to Bilbao and an explosive final 400 meters to Etxebarria Park, with ramps of up to 19%.

Difficulties increased on a hot day, around 30 degrees in the capital of Biscay, and also with an annoying headwind in the final stretch in the estuary area.

On this ground Seixas It moved perfectly. He was the fastest in Santo Domingo and opened a gap on the crest of Artxanda to continue advancing his advantage both in the descent and in the ascent to the finish line.

A total dominance of the Lyon corridor to which they responded from afar Vauquelin and Grosschartner without ever doubting the third victory of the season for the Decathlon rider, winner of a stage in the Vuelta al Algarve and the Faun-Ardèche classic.

In the almost two hours in which he occupied the ‘leader’s chair’ of the finish area destined for the best provisional time Seixas was seeing how not even Brandon McNultyanother of the candidates to don the first yellow, nor Del Toro nor Ayuso They were approaching their registration.

Seixas will defend his status as leader tomorrow, Tuesday, in the second stage of this Itzulia Basque Country 2026a 164-kilometer route starting in Pamplona and arriving uphill at the Mendukilo Cave.

It will be the opportunity where Isaac del Toro can attack and reduce the 51-second lead he has Paul Seixas in the general classification.