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Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026 preview: the first great post-Tour ambush

Almeida, Gall, Pellizzari, Christen, Bilbao and Riccitello headline San Sebastian, where post-Tour fatigue and Basque climbing can overturn the startlist hierarchy.

Favorites
João Almeida
Joao Almeida and Felix Gall are the strongest GC-style anchors, while Giulio Pellizzari, Jan Christen, Pello Bilbao and Riccitello give the race its attacking depth.
Felix Gall
Felix Gall has the climbing or all-round profile to stay in the overall race when the route starts taking time.
Giulio Pellizzari
Giulio Pellizzari belongs in the GC tier because the race should reward repeatability, not one isolated attack.
Jan Christen
Jan Christen gives Donostia San Sebastián Klasikoa another credible overall option if the top favorite is forced to defend early.
Pello Bilbao
Pello Bilbao can move up if the race is decided by positioning, recovery and small gaps rather than one set-piece climb.
Matthew Riccitello
Matthew Riccitello is a useful watchlist pick because the current field still leaves room for a disciplined outside GC ride.
Donostia San Sebastián Klasikoa 2026

San Sebastian is the first major one-day race after the Tour de France, and that timing is its drama. Some riders arrive with Tour form, others arrive with Tour fatigue, and the Basque climbs expose the difference.

Why this race matters

It is one of cycling’s most important one-day races outside the Monuments, and it often reshapes how riders are judged after July.

Route and pressure points

The race is built around repeated climbing, narrow roads and a final phase that rewards riders willing to attack before everyone else has recovered from the previous climb.

Favorites for the overall

Joao Almeida and Felix Gall are the strongest GC-style anchors, while Giulio Pellizzari, Jan Christen, Pello Bilbao and Riccitello give the race its attacking depth. The current favorites card is led by João Almeida, Felix Gall, Giulio Pellizzari, Jan Christen, Pello Bilbao and Matthew Riccitello.

What could change the race

If the race becomes a stalemate between Almeida and Gall, Jan Christen, Pello Bilbao or Matthew Riccitello can win by moving first.

Recent context

San Sebastian has a long record of rewarding climbing form with one-day nerve, not just Grand Tour status.