AJ August Wins Itzulia Stage as Paul Seixas Claims Overall Victory

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Paul Seixas of Decathlon CMA CGM secured the overall victory at Itzulia Basque Country on April 11, 2026, capping off a dominant performance throughout the race. While Seixas claimed the yellow jersey, the final stage was won by AJ August of Ineos, who soloed to victory in Bergara during a rain-lashed conclusion to the event.

The sixth and final stage was characterized by hazardous conditions and a challenging route featuring six tough climbs. AJ August launched a decisive attack from the front group near the summit of the final climb, Astenzio, with 12.3 kilometers remaining in the race. Although Raul García Pierna of Movistar initially followed the move, August dropped the Spaniard with one kilometer of the ascent remaining.

August successfully navigated a treacherous descent to win the stage, marking the second professional victory of his career following a previous win at the 2026 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. Raúl García Pierna finished second on the stage, crossing the line 16 seconds behind August. Frank van den Broeck of Picnic-PostNL took third place, followed by Gal Glivar of Alpecin-Premier Tech.

Seixas Dominates Overall Classifications

Despite a nervous final day, Paul Seixas established himself as the standout performer of the competition. Seixas achieved a comprehensive sweep of the race’s major honors, winning the overall general classification, the points classification, the mountains classification, and the best young rider award. His overall victory was supported by three individual stage wins during the week.

The final stage tested Seixas’s composure as he found himself isolated, and chasing. In a bold but risky move, Seixas attempted a 40-kilometer solo effort to bridge the gap to the day’s breakaway. While the move was described as as ill-advised as it was brave, Seixas maintained enough of a lead in the general classification to withstand the pressure.

Seixas finished the final stage alongside Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull, crossing the line 4 minutes and 15 seconds behind August. This result left him just over three minutes behind Tobias Halland Johannessen of Uno-X Mobility, who performed well on the final day to secure a place on the overall podium.

Breakthrough for AJ August

The stage victory represents a significant milestone for the 20-year-old AJ August. His ability to manage the rain-soaked conditions and the final ascent of Astenzio highlighted his growing talent on the professional circuit.

Analysts noted that the race served as a coming-out party for the new generation of talent, specifically highlighting Seixas’s performance. One report suggested the event would be remembered as the one in which Paul Seixas announced himself to the world, adding that he looks to be the star of this new generation of cyclists.

The final standings for the stage and general classification reflect a day of significant shifts, with Johannessen’s late surge for the podium and August’s definitive solo win providing a dramatic end to the Basque Country tour.

• Stage 6 Winner: AJ August (Ineos)
• Overall Winner (Yellow Jersey): Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM)
• Final Podium: Paul Seixas, Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility)
• Seixas Achievements: Overall title, Points classification, Mountains classification, Best Young Rider, and three stage wins.