Published on : 04/04/2026
At 37, the Basque rider pulled off a remarkable feat by winning the GP Indurain in a solo breakaway. He was part of the day’s breakaway, set the pace and attacked at just the right moment before crossing the line alone. An incredible victory which, combined with Alex Aranburu’s fourth place, sets the team up perfectly for the Tour of the Basque Country.
Ion Izagirre, a star on home turf! The Basque rider put in a top-class performance this Saturday afternoon on roads he knows so well. You don’t really need to look for motivation when you’re Basque, with such a deep connection to this region and the legend of local cycling. Ion and Alex, back from a training camp to fine-tune their preparations, were the team’s two trump cards. And both were up to the task, right at the front, constantly involved in the relentless battle for position.
Ion, a race controlled from start to finish
Ion was part of the ‘breakaway of the day’, alongside some strong riders. It was also he who made the race tougher and attacked some thirty kilometres from the finish. Only the American Quinn Simons managed to keep up with him before Markel Beloki gave it his all to catch up. But Ion still had reserves: spurred on by the crowd, he took the lead on the final climb. What followed was the joy of seeing the finish line draw near, a final descent and then a triumphant finish in the narrow streets of Estella-Lizarra. Ion had time to flash a broad smile, cup his face in his hands and wave to the crowd who had rallied behind him. A few seconds later, Alex Aranburu, who had just finished 4th, greeted his friend. Ion could then celebrate alongside his family, who had turned out in force to witness this magical afternoon.
Cofidis’ fourth victory of the season already
At 37, Ion is proving he remains an outstanding champion, having recently finished in the top 10 at Paris-Nice. This is the 19th victory of his career, and his second at the GP Miguel Indurain since his win in 2023. Ion is playing a key role in the Cofidis team’s impressive run of form, which has now seen them secure their fourth victory of the season. He is the third rider from the team to claim victory, following Bryan Coquard (twice) and Milan Fretin. For the entire northern French squad currently in Spain, attention now turns to the Tour of the Basque Country. On the programme: six stages and plenty of opportunities to shine. And there is no doubt that Ion and Alex will do everything they can to shine once again.
Reactions
Bingen Fernandez, sports director
: “It’s a wonderful victory; we’re all delighted and very proud of Ion. Victories are always special, but they’re even more so when you win on home soil. Ion was determined to put in a strong performance today, and he went above and beyond. He managed to anticipate the race well and read the situation perfectly to attack at just the right moment. What Ion and Alex have shown today is that we’re committed to giving our all, to doing everything we can to shine in every race. That will be our mindset for the Tour of the Basque Country: seizing opportunities every day, doing our best and aiming for more victories.”
Raphaël Jeune, General Manager: “
We’ve experienced another truly emotional moment thanks to the Cofidis team. I’m very proud of what Ion Izagirre has achieved, and of the fighting spirit and composure he showed to secure the win. This success is yet another example of the exemplary team spirit that prevails throughout our squad. Just like the riders, all the staff members and all our partners are fully committed, sharing the same determination and sense of professionalism. Like Ion this afternoon, we will continue to approach every race with unwavering enthusiasm, never shying away from ambition.”
Ion Izagirre
: “It was very emotional when I crossed the finish line. This is a very special race for me. I’m at home: my children, my parents and my friends were there at the finish. This victory shows that our training camp at Teide with Alex Aranburu has paid off. After my result in Paris-Nice, I felt in great shape and that allowed me to approach the race well. The plan was to hang on until the final climb and then give it my all. This victory is perfect for approaching the Tour of the Basque Country with confidence. I’ve been with this team for five years, I know everyone, I feel very much at home here and I’m still just as keen to live up to the trust placed in me.”