Published on : 04/11/2026
Throughout the week, the Basque riders from the Cofidis team shone on this terrain they know so well. Ion won the GP Indurain last Saturday and Alex secured a resounding victory on Thursday. Furthermore, Ion consistently delivered: he recorded three top-ten finishes and an incredible fourth place in the general classification. A look back at a week of top-class racing.
Their warm embrace and hugs at the foot of the podium last Thursday spoke volumes about their bond, their dedication and their incredible joy at racing (and shining) ‘at home’. This week was bound to be special for Alex and Ion. They grew up on these roads winding through the hills, rode together in the same club and climbed the ranks whilst cherishing their friendship. Cheered on by the crowds every morning, closely followed by their loved ones at every stage, they knew they were eagerly awaited.
Alex and Ion had prepared accordingly by heading to Teide, on the island of Tenerife, to fine-tune their fitness. It was a choice that paid off: on their return, at the GP Indurain, Ion pulled off a masterclass by winning solo, holding off Quinn Simmons and a host of outsiders. At the Tour of the Basque Country, they had to be patient, adapting to the race scenario and Paul Seixas’s voracious appetite. But on closer inspection, the Basque duo from Cofidis were never far from the front of the race. Ion finished with the leaders at Mendukilo (Stage 2, 7th), Galdakao (Stage 4, 4th) and Eibar (Stage 5, 5th).
A tight-knit team helping them shine
Alex Aranburu, for his part, was initially frustrated by Stage 3 – a stage he’d had his sights set on – as he failed to make it into the breakaway that went all the way to the finish. Never mind, he went on the offensive again the very next day, broke away with the right group, kept a low profile and then launched his attack 10 km from the finish line, leading to the victory we all know, after a gruelling effort and a nail-biting finish, on the final climb to Galdakao.
They were also well supported by their teammates throughout the week: Paul Ourselin, Jan Maas, Jamie Meehan, Yaël Joalland and Emmanuel Buchmann (who, having been injured, left the team on stage 4). All of them helped the Basque riders perform to the best of their ability. This enabled them to anticipate attacks right up to Eibar on Friday, in an intense battle for position.
On Saturday, they had to hold on despite the relentless rain, and Ion did so with determination, allowing him to retain his 4th place in the general classification. He finished the race just ahead of Paul Seixas and claimed the podium honours as the best Basque rider. But above all, he has once again distinguished himself in a major UCI World Tour race, having already finished 7th in Paris-Nice last March.
The Basque adventure thus concludes with two victories and a top-five finish in the general classification of a UCI World Tour stage race. All in all, the team has had a wealth of achievements and emotions, and everyone will return home with their heads full of fond memories. Now it’s time for the warriors of the Hell of the North, all equally determined to make the Cofidis colours shine!
Ion Izagirre
: “It’s been an incredible week! Just like every year, it’s an indescribable feeling to ride at home, in front of your family and loved ones, on roads you know so well… It’s a really special experience to ride here; I knew every stage by heart! And of course, we can’t help but be pleased with our results. My 4th place in the general classification? Not bad for a 37-year-old rider (laughs)! Obviously I would have liked to be on the podium, but it’s still a very fine performance. The week was also incredible because Alex (Aranburu) was very good too, and when you consider all the effort we’ve put in together, it’s really brilliant.”
Bingen Fernandez, sports director:
“From one day to the next, we went from 30°C to 7°C with rain throughout the stage. Naturally, it was very tough on the riders. Once again, Ion rode very well, although we have to acknowledge that Uno-X put in a very strong performance. If someone had told us beforehand that we’d be leaving the Basque Country with two wins and a fourth place, we’d have signed up straight away! It’s been a very tough week, but it’s also been a very special one for our riders. And we can be proud that Ion and Alex rose to the occasion so brilliantly!”
