The Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026 takes place on Saturday 1 August, six days after the Tour de France finishes in Paris and on the opening weekend of the Tour de France Femmes.
The 45th edition covers 221.1km around the Basque Country, starting and finishing in Donostia-San Sebastián with more than 4,150 metres of climbing. The route again builds towards Jaizkibel, Erlaitz and Murgil Tontorra, making this one of the hardest one-day races of the summer and a natural target for climbers, puncheurs and Tour riders carrying strong July form.
The start list is still capable of changing in the final days before the race, particularly because so many riders are coming directly out of the Tour de France. The live list below will update as final seven-rider selections and any late substitutions are confirmed.
For a full introduction to the race, its history and the type of rider it suits, see our beginner’s guide to the Men’s Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026.
Photo Credit: GettyDonostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026 start list
Data powered by FirstCycling.com
The live start list is the most useful reference immediately before the race because illness, injury and post-Tour recovery can still lead to replacements. A rider appearing on a provisional list several days out should not automatically be treated as a confirmed starter until the final team selection is settled.
Which teams are racing the 2026 Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa?
The 2026 edition is set to feature 25 teams, with the 18 UCI WorldTeams joined by leading ProTeams and four Spanish wildcard squads.
With seven riders permitted per team, that creates a maximum field of 175 riders.
UCI WorldTeams
- Alpecin-Premier Tech
- Bahrain Victorious
- Decathlon CMA CGM
- EF Education-EasyPost
- Groupama-FDJ United
- Lidl-Trek
- Lotto-Intermarché
- Movistar Team
- Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team
- NSN Cycling Team
- Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe
- Soudal Quick-Step
- Team Jayco AlUla
- Team Picnic PostNL
- Team Visma | Lease a Bike
- UAE Team Emirates-XRG
- Uno-X Mobility
- XDS Astana Team
ProTeams
- Cofidis
- Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
- Tudor Pro Cycling Team
- Burgos Burpellet BH
- Caja Rural-Seguros RGA
- Equipo Kern Pharma
- Euskaltel-Euskadi
The size and depth of the field are part of what makes San Sebastián difficult to control. WorldTour teams arrive with multiple possible leaders, while the invited Spanish squads have every incentive to attack early and place riders in the breakaway before the favourites begin racing on the later climbs.
The wildcard teams have every reason to attack
For Burgos Burpellet BH, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Equipo Kern Pharma and Euskaltel-Euskadi, simply waiting for the final favourites’ battle offers little value.
These teams are likely to be central to the fight for the early breakaway.
A rider who gets ahead before Kalbario or Azkarate can give the team television exposure for several hours, but the strongest moves can also remain tactically relevant much later if the WorldTour teams hesitate behind.
Euskaltel-Euskadi in particular has the extra significance of racing one of the biggest events in the Basque Country.
The orange jerseys in the breakaway are almost part of the expected visual identity of the race.
Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026 at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Race | Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa |
| Date | Saturday 1 August 2026 |
| Level | UCI WorldTour, 1.UWT |
| Start | Donostia-San Sebastián |
| Finish | Boulevard, Donostia-San Sebastián |
| Distance | 221.1km |
| Total climbing | More than 4,150 metres |
| Categorised climbs | 7 |
| Key late climbs | Jaizkibel, Erlaitz, Murgil Tontorra |
| Teams | 25 |
| Maximum riders | 175 |
| Defending champion | Giulio Ciccone |
For a detailed breakdown of every climb and the likely points where the favourites will attack, see the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026 route guide.
When does Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026 start?
The race takes place on Saturday 1 August 2026, with the current timetable listing the race start at approximately 11:13 local time, which is 10:13 BST.
The expected finish is during the late afternoon, with the decisive racing likely to begin well before Murgil Tontorra because Jaizkibel and Erlaitz should already have reduced the field.
UK viewers can follow the race on TNT Sports, with streaming through HBO Max. Our full guide to watching Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026 in the UK includes the latest start time, likely broadcast window and when to tune in for the key climbs.
What kind of rider can win?
San Sebastián rewards riders who sit somewhere between a Grand Tour climber and a one-day specialist.
A pure climber may have enough ability uphill but lack the explosiveness or descending needed once the race becomes tactical. A traditional Classics rider may be powerful enough for the distance but unable to survive more than 4,000 metres of climbing.
The ideal contender can do both.
They need enough endurance to remain competitive after five hours, enough climbing ability for Erlaitz and Murgil, enough confidence descending back towards the city and either the ability to attack alone or win from a small group on the Boulevard.
That combination is why San Sebastián has produced such a varied winners list while still consistently favouring elite all-rounders.
The beginner’s guide to Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa explains how the late climbs work together and why the race rarely unfolds like either a normal Classic or a Tour mountain stage.
Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa 2026 start list summary
The 2026 Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa is set to start with 25 teams and up to 175 riders, with a field combining Tour de France finishers, Basque specialists, climbing leaders and aggressive ProTeam riders.
Ciccone returns as defending champion, while the expected presence of riders such as Almeida, Bilbao, Landa, Rodríguez, Gall and Christen gives the race several different tactical possibilities.
The important qualifier is that this remains one of the start lists most likely to change in the final week.
The Tour finished only six days earlier.
For some riders, that means arriving in San Sebastián with some of the best form of the season.
For others, it means deciding that three weeks in France were enough.
