August 1, 2026
The Belgian attacks on the final climb and defeats Carapaz in a two-rider sprint.
Remco Evenepoel claimed a record-breaking fourth victory at the Clásica San Sebastián after an impressive comeback and a perfectly executed finale.
Clásica San Sebastián, with its incessant climbing, always delivers an action-packed day in the saddle, and the 2026 edition proved no different. A large breakaway went from the gun, but the battle for the win was reserved for the final 65km of the 221.2km-long route.
The team controlled much of the 221 kilometer classic, keeping the early breakaway within reach as the race approached its decisive sequence of climbs. Maxim Van Gils moved into the front group on the Jaizkibel, giving the team an important presence ahead of the Erlaitz.
However, Evenepoel’s race was suddenly thrown into doubt when he suffered a puncture on the descent from the Jaizkibel, around 50 kilometres from the finish. With the steep Erlaitz approaching quickly, he was forced to stop for a change, and begin the chase back towards the front of the race.
Giulio Pellizzari supported the chase at the foot of the Erlaitz, while Van Gils remained patient in the leading group. Evenepoel eventually completed the comeback, reconnecting with the front of the race.
Once the groups had come back together, Van Gils returned to the front and helped position Evenepoel for the final ascent of the Murgil. On the steepest section of the 2.1-kilometre climb, Evenepoel launched his decisive attack with 8.7 kilometres remaining. Only Richard Carapaz could follow.
Putting their Tour de France form to good use, though, were Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost). The pair went clear of their rivals on the Murgil climb, and did not look back.
They reached the summit together and maintained their advantage on the descent and the run into San Sebastián. In the finishing straight, Evenepoel accelerated past Carapaz in the sprint to secure the victory.
At the finish in San Sebastián, Evenepoel out-sprinted Carapaz to take his fourth Clásica San Sebastián title.
The result makes him the sole record holder at the Clásica San Sebastián. After previous victories in 2019, 2022 and 2023, he has now won the race in each of his four appearances, moving ahead of three-time winner Marino Lejarreta.
“It was the most difficult one of all four. After the downhill of Jaizkibel, I had a flat tire. We knew that Erlaitz was coming up super quickly, so I had to be patient. I have to thank my team for all the work, of course. Giulio Pellizzari did a very good job at the bottom of Erlaitz to bring me as close as possible, and Maxim was being patient in the front waiting for me. In the end, I had to finish off the work of my teammates. What a day and another beautiful victory.””
– Remco Evenepoel
Clásica San Sebastián 2026 results:
1. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) 5:23:10
1. Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) s.t
3. Ben Tulett (Visma-Lease a Bike) +29″
