Remco Evenepoel delivered a commanding performance at the 46th Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa on Saturday, becoming the first rider in the race's history to win four consecutive editions. The Belgian's latest triumph came just days after his runner-up finish at the Tour de France, underlining his status as the most dominant one-day racer of his generation.
The Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe leader overcame an ill-timed bike change with 50 kilometres remaining — moments before the punishing Erlaitz climb — to fight his way back to the front group. Once restored to the leading selection, Evenepoel launched his decisive attack on the steep gradients of the Murgil climb inside the final 10 kilometres. Only Richard Carapaz of EF Education-EasyPost, fresh off two Tour de France stage victories and the polka-dot jersey, could match his relentless pace.
The pair built a gap of roughly 15 seconds over the chasing group, where defending champion Giulio Ciccone and Louis Barré attempted in vain to close the distance on the fast run-in to the Basque coast. The gap proved unbridgeable, and Evenepoel and Carapaz contested a two-up sprint to the line, where the Olympic champion comfortably out-kicked his Ecuadorian rival.
Ben Tulett of Visma | Lease a Bike won the sprint for third, 29 seconds behind the winner. Christian Scaroni (XDS Astana), Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), and Ciccone completed the top six.
The victory maintains Evenepoel's flawless 100 per cent win record at the Klasikoa, a feat unmatched in the race's 46-year history. He surpasses Marino Lejarreta, the Basque great who had held the all-time record with three consecutive wins in the 1980s. For Evenepoel, it is a further statement of intent after a Tour de France campaign that yielded two stage wins and the overall runner-up spot behind Jonas Vingegaard.
"This race always suits me perfectly," Evenepoel said after crossing the finish line. "Even with the bike change, I knew I had the legs to come back. The Murgil is where I feel strongest, and I just went full gas."
The 2026 Klasikoa marks the 46th edition of the prestigious 209-kilometre race through the Basque Country, traditionally held the Saturday after the Tour de France concludes. Evenepoel has now won the last four editions, a dominance unprecedented in the event's storied history.
Sources
- https://www.domestiquecycling.com/en/news/evenepoel-overcomes-ill-timed-bike-change-to-seal-record-san-sebastian-win/
- https://www.klasikoa.eus/en
