Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026 Preview | Route, Startlist, Favorites
Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026 covers roughly 210 km through the Basque Country hills, with Jaizkibel, Erlaitz, and Murgil Tontorra shaping the finale. Giulio Ciccone returns as defending champion against a field of climbers and punchy classics riders looking for their first major post-Tour result.
The Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa returns to the Basque Country on Saturday, August 1 with the same question it always asks: who can survive Jaizkibel and still have enough left for Murgil Tontorra?
Giulio Ciccone won in 2025 by attacking on Murgil Tontorra and holding off Jan Christen in a solo effort that suited the steep, punchy finale perfectly. He returns as defending champion, but the field around him will be shaped by who comes out of the Tour de France with form and motivation to race one more day before the August break.
Remco Evenepoel has won this race three times and treats it as more than a consolation prize. Marc Hirschi showed in 2024 that pure power on the late climbs can settle it. Isaac del Toro and Jan Christen continue to develop as one-day threats on this kind of terrain. The Basque climbs are steep enough to shed sprinters but short enough that a well-timed move from a punchy rider can survive to the finish along La Concha Bay.
No confirmed startlist is available yet. The field will firm up as the Tour de France concludes and riders commit to their post-Tour calendar. Check back for updates.