Clásica de San Sebastián 2026: Evenepoel outguns Carapaz in two-up sprint

fotobureau Cor VosRemco Evenepoel puts in a decisive acceleration on the steep Murgil-Tontorra, with only Richard Carapaz able to stay on his wheel. The Belgian then outsprints the Ecuadorian in the streets of San Sebastián to claim victory and become the sole record holder. Ben Tulett wins the sprint from the chasing group to complete the podium. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 2026 Clásica de San Sebastián

1. Remco Evenepoel (bel) 5:23:10
2. Richard Carapaz (ecu) s.t.
3. Ben Tulett (gbr) + 0:29
4. Christian Scaroni (ita) s.t.
5. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.
6. Giulio Ciccone (ita) s.t.
7. Jan Christen (swi) s.t.
8. Marc Hirschi (swi) s.t.
9. Marcel Camprubí (spa) s.t.
10. Léo Bisiaux (fra) s.t.

Race report
It takes around 20 kilometres for the breakaway to form. Then Tim Rex, Iñigo Elosegui, Ådne Holter, Valentin Ferron, Lorenzo Quatrucci, Nicolás Alustiza, Nickolas Zukowsky and Joan Bou build a 3-minute lead. That's all they get.

On the Jaizkibel, Rex is left alone out in front, while Bart Lemmen, Maxim Van Gils, Michael Leonard and Jay Vine bridge across from the peloton. Quatrucci, having been dropped earlier, manages to hang on to the four-man group.

As the riders approach the Erlaitz, Remco Evenepoel is forced to switch bikes. On the climb itself, Louise Barré and Paul Double take over from the Van Gils group at the front and just before the summit, Giulio Ciccone, Matteo Jorgenson, Maxim Van Gils, Richard Carapaz, Felix Gall, Enric Mas, Léo Bisiaux and Mathys Rondel bridge across to the leading duo.

Just over 33 kilometres from the finish, Evenepoel rejoins the leaders in the company of the likes of Jonathan Narváez and Jan Christen.

That select group stays together until the foot of the Murgil-Tontorra. On the steeper slopes of the climb, Evenepoel accelerates with Carapaz glued to his wheel, while Ciccone and Barré launch the chase on the plateau beyond the summit. The pair fail to make any inroads and, once back down in the valley, they are first joined by Mathys Rondel and Ben Tulett and then by another fifteen riders or so.

Up front, however, none of that matters, as the leading duo already hold an advantage of half a minute. In the sprint, Evenepoel proves too strong for Carapaz and crowns himself the outright record holder with four victories in the Basque climbing classic.

Another interesting read: route 2026 Clásica de San Sebastián.