Itzulia Women 2026 begins on Friday, 15th May, with a demanding opening stage that starts and finishes in Zarautz. There is no gentle introduction to this year’s race. Stage 1 covers 121.3km, includes six climbs, and should begin shaping the general classification almost immediately.
For UK viewers, the race is listed for live coverage on TNT Sports and HBO Max, with the stage scheduled to begin in the morning. TNT’s stage listing has the Zarautz to Zarautz stage starting at 09:18 UK time, while earlier schedule information has it around 09:16, so the safest approach is to be ready from just after 09:15.
The opening stage has the right profile for a reduced sprint, a late attack or a small-group finish. The key climbs include Santa Ageda and Etumeta, while the final descent from Garate leaves a flatter run back into Zarautz. That means the winner will need climbing strength, but also speed and composure after a hard day on Basque roads.
What time does Itzulia Women stage 1 start in the UK?
Stage 1 is scheduled to start at around 09:16 to 09:18 UK time, depending on the broadcaster listing. The race starts locally in Spain at around 10:16 to 10:18.
The expected finish is between roughly 12:20 and 12:40 UK time. With six climbs packed into 121.3km, the race could become important well before the final half-hour.
Key stage details:
- Date: Friday, 15th May
- Route: Zarautz to Zarautz
- Distance: 121.3km
- Elevation gain: around 2,239 metres
- Main climbs: Santa Ageda, Etumeta and Garate
- UK start time: around 09:16 to 09:18
- Expected UK finish: around 12:20 to 12:40
- Likely outcome: reduced sprint, late attack or small-group finish
How to watch Itzulia Women stage 1 live in the UK
UK viewers can watch Itzulia Women stage 1 live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
TNT Sports is the main linear TV option, while HBO Max carries the live stream. With a morning start and an early-afternoon finish in UK time, this is a race where the key action should unfold before lunchtime rather than in the usual late-afternoon slot.
EITB will also produce a stream in Basque that will be available in the UK without geo-restrictions.
The final hour should be the most useful viewing window for anyone who cannot watch from the start. However, because stage 1 has repeated climbs rather than one single decisive ascent, the race could begin splitting earlier if the strongest teams decide to apply pressure.
What is the route for stage 1?
Stage 1 starts and finishes in Zarautz, covering 121.3km on a route that immediately brings the peloton into classic Basque racing terrain. The climbing total is around 2,239 metres, with six climbs across the stage.
Santa Ageda is one of the major early reference points, at around 8km with an average gradient close to 6.8 per cent. It is long enough to start reducing the field if the pace is high. Etumeta is shorter and sharper, around 4.5km at 7.5 per cent, and looks more suited to attacks or a serious acceleration from the strongest riders.
The final climb and descent from Garate are likely to be crucial. The road back into Zarautz after the descent is flatter, which means a lone climber may struggle if a reduced group is organised behind. That gives the stage an interesting balance. The climbs are hard enough to create gaps, but the finish still gives teams a reason to chase.
Why stage 1 matters for the GC
In a three-day race, stage 1 cannot be treated as a warm-up. Itzulia Women is short, sharp and unforgiving, so a bad opening day can immediately leave a rider chasing the race.
The opening stage may not create huge gaps, but it can still sort the contenders. Repeated climbs, technical descents and constant positioning battles can gradually reduce the peloton. A rider who is badly placed before Santa Ageda or Etumeta may spend too much energy closing gaps. A team that loses numbers early may find itself exposed before the final climb.
Bonus seconds also matter. If the stage is decided from a small group, the winner will take the first leader’s jersey and an immediate advantage in the general classification. In a race this compressed, even a few seconds can alter how teams approach stages 2 and 3.
Who are the riders to watch?
Mischa Bredewold is one of the strongest picks for the stage if the race is selective but not completely stripped down to pure climbers. She has the strength to survive repeated climbs and the speed to finish from a reduced group. Team SD Worx-Protime also have the depth to place riders well if the race turns tactical.
Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio is an obvious threat if the stage becomes harder. She brings experience, climbing strength and patience, all useful qualities on a route where the selection may form gradually. Justine Ghekiere gives AG Insurance-Soudal another strong climbing option if the pace is high.
FDJ-Suez have several cards. Evita Muzic is well suited to a climbing-heavy stage, Juliette Berthet becomes more dangerous if the steep sections create a smaller front group, and Eglantine Rayer gives the team another option if the finale is more tactical.
Antonia Niedermaier is Canyon SRAM zondacrypto’s clearest climbing card, while Soraya Paladin becomes a real danger if the front group comes back together before Zarautz. Chiara Consonni is a faster option, but the stage probably needs to be ridden less aggressively for her to survive into the final selection.
Ella Wyllie should be important for Liv AlUla Jayco if the climbs do real damage. Silvia Persico and Erica Magnaldi give UAE Team ADQ different routes into the race, with Persico more dangerous from a reduced group and Magnaldi better suited to a harder climbing selection.
Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi should be especially motivated on Basque roads. Usoa Ostolaza and Ane Santesteban both suit this kind of terrain, and the team may look to race aggressively rather than wait for others to dictate the finale.
For a fuller look at the race before the flag drops, the Itzulia Women 2026 stage 1 preview breaks down the route and likely contenders in more detail.
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Photo Credit: RCS
When should UK viewers tune in?
The stage starts shortly after 09:15 UK time, but the key viewing window should be from around 11:30 onwards. That should cover the decisive climbs, the final selection and the run back into Zarautz.
For anyone able to watch more of the stage, it is worth tuning in earlier. The opening day of Itzulia Women can become important before the finale, especially if a strong team decides to make the race hard on the repeated climbs rather than waiting for Garate.
Itzulia Women 2026 stage 1 prediction
Stage 1 should suit a rider who can climb repeatedly without losing finishing speed. The route is hard enough to remove pure sprinters, but the flat finish in Zarautz means it may not be selective enough for the pure climbers to have it all their own way.
That makes Mischa Bredewold the strongest pick. She has the strength to survive the Basque climbs, the tactical backing of Team SD Worx-Protime and the speed to win from a reduced group. If the race becomes much harder, riders such as Moolman-Pasio, Muzic, Berthet, Niedermaier, Wyllie, Ostolaza and Santesteban become more dangerous.
Prediction: Mischa Bredewold to win stage 1 in Zarautz.
