The 2025 edition of Itzulia Women returns with its now-established place on the Women’s WorldTour calendar, continuing the legacy of top-tier Basque racing that began with the Emakumeen Bira. Now in its fourth edition, the race follows directly after La Vuelta Femenina and remains one of the most mountainous and tactically rich stage races on the calendar. With its short but punchy stages, technical descents and explosive climbs, it often rewards aggressive all-rounders and puncheurs.
The 2024 race was won by Demi Vollering, who secured overall victory with a win on the final stage after teammate Mischa Bredewold had dominated the opening two days. That gave SD Worx yet another clean sweep of stages and the GC – continuing a pattern of dominance that began with Vollering’s complete whitewash in the inaugural 2022 edition and strong performances in 2023 too, where she and Marlen Reusser traded wins across the stages. Of a possible 9 stages, SD Worx has won a full set of 9 stages.
Itzulia Women borrows heavily from the DNA of the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa and remains one of the clearest showcases of the Basque Country’s commitment to women’s cycling. Since its inception in 2022, the race has delivered high-quality racing with unpredictable outcomes, thanks to its terrain and weather variability. As the peloton heads into 2025’s edition, fans can expect more of the same intense three-day racing that has quickly made Itzulia Women a favourite among riders and a fun one for the fans to watch.
Previous Winners
2024
Demi Vollering
2023
Marlen Reusser
2022
Demi Vollering
2025 Itzulia Women Stage Profiles
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Live TV Coverage
Friday 16th May to Sunday 18th May 2025
Live on Discovery Plus/Max/TNT Sports across most of Europe
Stage 1: 11:30-13:00
Stage 2: 11:30-13:00
Stage 3: 11:30-13:00
All times in BST
Twitter: #ItzuliaWomen2025
Startlist: FirstCycling
Photo Credit: Getty
Photo Credit: GettyItzulia Women 2025 Contenders
Demi Vollering returns to the Basque Country as the undisputed benchmark for Itzulia Women, having already racked up six stage wins and two general classification titles here. After finishing 2nd in 2023 behind her then-teammate, she reclaimed the overall title in 2024 with dominant performances across all terrains. The flatter finishes may slightly mute her stage-winning potential if she can’t drop rivals, but the GC remains firmly within her grasp. Evita Muzic, 6th overall last season and a top-10 fixture across multiple stages, will likely play a key support role. She’s proven herself capable of hanging on the punchier climbs, and her consistency makes her a reliable lieutenant for Vollering as the gradients bite late in stages.
Mischa Bredewold was a standout in 2024, collecting two stage victories and finishing 2nd overall in the GC. That experience, combined with her punchy finishing, sets her up well to go after stage wins again this year, especially on the flatter profiles. She’ll be a constant presence in the finales. Anna van der Breggen makes her Itzulia debut in 2025 and could be a wildcard for the GC if she can force splits or go clear on the climbs. Given the limited summit finishes, her success may depend on how aggressively SD Worx wants to race. She’ll need to attack with intent if she wants to challenge for the overall against Vollering.
The situation for Mavi Garcia is a curious one. She was 4th in GC last year and took a strong 2nd on one of the hillier stages, but her 2025 campaign has not matched that level so far, with a subdued performance at La Vuelta Femenina. If she’s turned things around, she could still make an impact, particularly if the racing becomes aggressive. Caroline Andersson, 16th last year, arrives in sharper form this time, coming off a 4th place at the Navarra Elite Classics. Her sprint and power through rolling terrain could place her in contention for top-10 stage results. Silke Smulders has yet to race Itzulia but could prove valuable as a climbing and sprint hybrid if she carries any form into the race.
Gaia Realini has been a mystery so far this season. Her results have been well below expectations, with nothing better than 30th in 2025 to date. She hasn’t raced Itzulia before, but with the longer climbs of the Basque Country, it could be the place she finally kicks her season into gear. If not, Shirin van Anrooij may end up the team’s best card to play. She’s finished 13th in GC here before and has three top-10 stage results across her two appearances. After a solid Vuelta, where she ended up 20th in GC, she could carry that rhythm into a more attacking role here, especially on the more technical finales.
The home team always lines up with motivation for this race, and Movistar bring two of the most consistent performers in the event’s short history. Liane Lippert has proven that the hilly terrain and punchy finishes of the Itzulia Women play to her strengths. She was 6th overall in 2022 and 7th in 2023, with a total of six top-10 stage finishes, including a 2nd place on Stage 2 in 2022. Her finishing kick on short climbs and ability to sprint from reduced groups make her one of the most credible threats to break the SD Worx dominance on stages. Alongside her, Olivia Baril returns to one of her most successful races. The Canadian thrives in her adopted home of the Basque Country, finishing 4th overall in 2023, 6th in 2024, and 11th in 2022. With seven top-10 stage results in that span, she has the consistency and local knowledge to challenge again, particularly if the stages come down to small sprints or selective moves over the mid-length climbs that define this race.
It’ll be a debut at Itzulia Women for Sarah Van Dam, but based on recent form, she’s more than ready for the challenge. The Ceratizit Pro Cycling rider has quietly put together a highly consistent block of racing, notching five consecutive top-10 finishes leading into this week. That includes both rounds of the Festival Elsy Jacobs and the back-to-back Morbihan races, showing she’s in excellent condition and finishing fast. The Itzulia terrain should suit her as a hilly sprinter, and while she’s not a pure climber, she’s resilient on undulating roads. If the peloton fragments but doesn’t fully break apart, Van Dam is well-placed to sprint from the lead group and could be a contender for stage podiums throughout the race.
Fenix-Deceuninck are emerging as a real stage racing force this season, and they arrive at Itzulia with two genuine GC-capable riders. Yara Kastelijn, fresh off 8th overall at La Vuelta Femenina, brings excellent form and race craft, even if she rarely shines with explosive stage wins. Her Vuelta ride was built on consistency, and that same approach could yield another top-10 finish here if she manages to stay close on the climbs and capitalise on transitional days. Pauliena Rooijakkers knows this race better than most. She was 2nd overall in 2022 after finishing 2nd on the opening stage, 10th in 2023, and 19th in 2024. While her Vuelta GC was a surprising dip (29th overall despite a 4th place on one of the mountain stages), she remains dangerous in unpredictable finales. If her form trends upward again, she’ll be looking to animate the race on the toughest days, particularly if it looks like a strong climber can steal a stage or sneak up the GC.
Canyon SRAM zondacrypto will be pinning their general classification hopes on Antonia Niedermaier, who continues her return to form after a measured start to the season. She finished 23rd at Navarra Elite Classics, which should serve as a useful tune-up ahead of her debut at Itzulia Women. Her 14th at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and solid early-season ride at the UAE Tour showed her climbing form is gradually coming. Soraya Paladin comes into the race with her best result of the year with 2nd at Navarra this week, and has podium pedigree here already after taking 2nd on a stage in 2023. A reduced bunch sprint or late breakaway could give her another opportunity to shine. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, while yet to post a meaningful result this season, is suited to the rolling terrain if she finds the legs. She’s never raced Itzulia before, but the Basque profile would suit the best version of the Dane – if she can find it.
Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi will once again look to make an impact on home roads through Usoa Ostolaza and Ane Santesteban. Ostolaza was 16th in GC here last year and has stepped up considerably since then, most notably with 12th in GC at the Vuelta. That result came despite a crash before the final climb on the last stage, costing her the chance of a top-10 finish. Santesteban brings a wealth of experience and will hope to better her 15th overall from last year. A pair of top-10 stage results show she can be there in the key moments, and 7th place at Navarra last week suggests she’s hitting form at just the right time. Either could lead depending on how the race evolves, but a shared leadership approach might serve them best early on.
Building on a promising outing at the Navarra Elite Classics, Tiril Jørgensen and India Grangier give Team Coop-Repsol growing momentum. Finishing 8th and 9th respectively in that race showed they’re capable of mixing it with WorldTour opposition. While Itzulia Women will pose a stiffer challenge across multiple days, both have shown enough spark to suggest they could ride into a good GC position if the consistency is there. It’s another opportunity to test themselves at the highest level and confirm their progression.
Winspace Orange-Seal bring their rising stars back into action with Karolina Perekitko and Nadia Gontova both offering intrigue. Perekitko has been quietly consistent in 2025, regularly floating near the front of tough races and could target a top-15 in GC if she climbs well across all three stages. Gontova’s 12th at Navarra is yet another step forward in her first full European calendar. A strong result here would further establish her as one of the most promising North American climbers in the peloton.
AG Insurance-Soudal line up with Urska Zigart leading their GC hopes after missing La Vuelta Femenina due to illness. If she’s bounced back well, the Basque hills will suit her climbing style. Support comes from Justine Ghekiere, Lore De Schepper and Mireia Benito, though none of the four have posted significant Itzulia results in previous years. De Schepper’s 5th on a stage at Gracia Orlová and her double jersey win there suggest she may be the form rider in the team, while Ghekiere’s spring has been solid if unspectacular. Benito was also due to ride the Vuelta before illness intervened, so her return adds another unknown to a team that could surprise if one rider finds a good rhythm.
There’s been a notable run of form for Giada Borghesi in recent weeks, and Human Powered Health will hope she carries that momentum into the Itzulia Women. With 5th at Navarra Elite Classics, 9th at GP Plumelec-Morbihan, and 3rd at La Classique Morbihan, the Italian has proved she’s consistently dangerous in these hilly, fast-finishing one-day races. Whether she gets a free role here may depend on how Thalita de Jong is feeling. The Dutch rider returned at La Vuelta Femenina and finished 16th in GC, not far off her previous best level. The Itzulia parcours may suit her even more if her climbing form holds and the bunch is reduced into the finishes. Ruth Edwards also showed a flash of her top form at Navarra, sprinting to 3rd in a strong field – her best result since the early-season races in Australia.
Punchy terrain could suit Eleonora Ciabocco, who had a near-breakthrough GC ride at La Vuelta for Team Picnic-PostNL. Sitting 11th in GC heading into the final stage, she slipped to 17th, but the performance showed her development is on track. With shorter climbs and sharper finishes here, Itzulia could play to her strengths if she gets through the opening day well. The team will be hoping to build around her with more consistency and confidence than they had during the Vuelta.
Marion Bunel has emerged as a rider to watch for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, particularly in climbing-heavy races. She showed her capability with top-10 finishes on two key mountain stages at La Vuelta Femenina and could well have finished higher than 24th overall had she not lost time on the less selective stages. With no overwhelming GC favourite in the team, Bunel should get the nod to lead, and her climbing talent makes her one of the stronger outside contenders for a top-10 placing.
A strong ride from Karlijn Swinkels at the Navarra Elite Classics was just the boost UAE Team ADQ needed as they head into Itzulia Women. Her 11th place there was a reassuring sign that she’s recovering well from early-season setbacks, and she’s a good option for the flatter or rolling stages where recovery between climbs is key. For GC, Erica Magnaldi remains their best chance. Her 23rd overall at the Vuelta might have been below expectations, but the win at GP de Chambéry earlier this spring is more indicative of the kind of racing that suits her – punchy climbs with a selective bunch at the end. If she can rediscover that shape, a top-10 GC finish is still within reach.
Top 3 Prediction
⦿ Demi Vollering
⦿ Anna van der Breggen
⦿ Mischa Bredewold
