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Circuito de Getxo 2026 preview: Basque punchers get their chance

Getxo suits the riders who can climb, accelerate and handle Basque road craft, putting Bilbao, Aranburu, Barrenetxea, Ayuso and Champoussin in focus.

Favorites

Pello Bilbao

Pello Bilbao and Alex Aranburu are natural anchors, while Jon Barrenetxea, Juan Ayuso and Clement Champoussin give the race different attacking options.

Alex Aranburu

Alex Aranburu has the finish or punch to win if the final group stays small enough.

Jon Barrenetxea

Jon Barrenetxea fits the race because the decisive move should require durability before speed.

Juan Ayuso

Juan Ayuso becomes dangerous if the favorites hesitate before the last selection.

Clément Champoussin

Clément Champoussin can win from a reduced group if the race is harder than the sprint teams want.

Circuito de Getxo – Memorial Hermanos Otxoa 2026

Circuito de Getxo is the kind of one-day race where the favorite needs legs and local instincts. The climbs are not only about watts; they are about arriving in the right place before the race gets narrow.

Why this race matters

For Basque and Spanish riders, it is more than a calendar filler: it is a visible chance to win on roads that reward regional strengths.

Route and pressure points

The route should keep pulling the race into small groups, and the finish tends to reward riders who can attack again after everyone thinks the selection is made.

Favorites for the win

Pello Bilbao and Alex Aranburu are natural anchors, while Jon Barrenetxea, Juan Ayuso and Clement Champoussin give the race different attacking options. The current favorites card is led by Pello Bilbao, Alex Aranburu, Jon Barrenetxea, Juan Ayuso and Clément Champoussin.

What could change the race

If the WorldTour climbers mark each other, a rider like Jon Barrenetxea can turn hesitation into the winning gap.

Recent context

Getxo has a long tradition of favoring punchy climbers rather than pure sprinters.