Following yesterday’s challenging stage 1 individual time trial in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the organizers of Itzulia Basque Country 2025 invited the riders to a challenge in somewhat hilly terrain. 

Stage 2 of Itzulia Basque Country 2025 would be contested on a route from Pamplona Iruna to Lodosa, after the race organizers had chosen to modify the stage route on short notice due to adverse weather conditions, which would possibly have posed a risk to the professional cyclists. The Alto de la Oliva (Category 3) climb had been removed from the stage route and replaced with San Martin de Unx (Category 3). Instead of 199.8 kilometers, as originally planned, stage 2 would be just 186.6-kilometers.

Maximilian Schachmann (Soudal-QuickStep) was leading the general classification following his powerful performance in the stage 1 individual time trial. Joao Almeida was in second place for UAE Team Emirates, while Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe) was third in the GC.

A five-man breakaway group established itself after a short period of intense racing following the start of stage 2 in Pamplona-Iruna, which is known for its bullfighting and Camino pilgrimages. The cyclists in the race would make their own pilgrimage today, but on their bikes while pedaling to Lodosa. 

The breakaway group featured Xabier Isasa (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Tobias Bayer (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Diego Uriarte (Equipo Kern Pharma), Julen Arriola-Bengoa (Caja Rural – Seguros RGA), and Sinuhe Fernandez (Burgos Burpellet BH). 

The breakaway optimists fought their way to a lead of more than two minutes while the main peloton was keeping them under observation from afar. 

Apart from a reduction in the lead of the front quartet, the Category 3 San Martin de Unx climb did not cause any significant changes in the race and the riders carried on towards their stage destination.

Ineos-Grenadiers had taken over control at the front of the main peloton and were leading the chase effort when eighty kilometers remained of stage 2 of Tour of the Basque Country 2025. 

Ineos-Grenadiers were still leading the main peloton when the riders were sixty kilometers from the finish line. They were closely monitored by riders from UAE Team Emirates and Team Visma-Lease a Bike. At this point in the stage, the advantage of the breakaway quintet was 01:50 minutes.

The riders in the Itzulia Basque Country race continued their ride while passing by beautiful green spring fields, small hills, and forest areas. When 47 kilometers remained, the front group had increased their advantage to 02:15 minutes. 

Riders from Ineos-Grenadiers and Soudal-Quickstep were at the front of the peloton and had reduced the advantage of the breakaway quintet to 01:40 minutes when thirty-five kilometers remained of stage 2. Some teams had included strong sprinters in their Itzulia Basque Country race rosters and were now trying to pave the way for a sprint finish in today’s stage 2.

The front group had almost been reeled in by the chasing peloton when eighteen kilometers remained. Julen Arriola-Bengoa was dropped from the front group at this point but had shown the colors for his Caja Rural – Seguros RGA team at the front of the race most of the day.

The four remaining breakaway compatriots started the final six kilometers of the race with a twenty-three second advantage over the furiously chasing peloton. It appeared the stage would culminate in a mass sprint. Xabier Isasa went solo from the front group. The man from the rolling oranges wanted to show the colors of his Euskaltel-Euskadi team in home territory. Meanwhile, Victor Campenaerts crashed with another rider in the main peloton.

Isasa had been reeled in by the chasing peloton when two kilometers remained. The sprinter teams were now setting up their sprinters for the final sprint across the finish line. Ineos-Grenadiers, Groupama-FDJ, and Euskaltel-Euskadi were very active. Intermarche-Wanty joined the fun.

Caleb Ewan proved the fastest man on the day. Ewan won stage 2 of Itzulia Basque Country 2025 for Ineos-Grenadiers. Luca van Boven placed second for Intermarche-Wanty, while Bastien Tronchon took third for Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale.

Maximillian Schachmann remains general classification leader in Tour of the Basque Country ahead of Joao Almeida and Florian Lipowitz. Wednesday’s stage 3 will be contested on a 156.6-kilometer hilly route from Zarautz to Beasain. The stage profile includes five Category 3 climbs and two Category 2 climbs. Following today’s cameo appearances in the sprint stage, the general classification favorites are expected to show their presence in the race in stage 3.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for complete coverage from Tour of the Basque Country 2025 and the rest of the professional cycling season.